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Gluten-Free Meatloaf Recipe

January 18, 2023 by Elizabeth Murray | Affiliate Disclaimer
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This gluten-free meatloaf recipe is loaded with fiber and hidden vegetables, making it a great dinner option for families! Just mix all of the meatloaf ingredients together, form it into a log and bake it. It’s super simple and perfectly seasoned.

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Sliced meatloaf on a white serving platter with pieces of zucchini visible and a bright red sauce

I personally love this recipe so much because we sneak in shredded zucchini for a small serving of vegetables! You barely even notice, and you get the added health benefits of the antioxidants!

It’s an easy weeknight meal, and no one will guess that its gluten-free and zucchini loaded.

What Is a Gluten-free Substitute for Breadcrumbs in Meatloaf?

Not everyone who decides to go gluten-free has Celiac disease! I personally have to cut a lot of gluten out of my life due to gestational diabetes. There are SO many different healthy substitutions that you can make to omit the breadcrumbs in meatloaf. I opted to use flaxseed meal because of their high fiber content and omega-3’s, but there are plenty of other options.

So what can you use as a binder in meatloaf? There are a lot of options.

  • Almond Flour or Almond Meal

  • Almonds put through a food processor yourself

  • Flaxseed meal

  • Crushed-up gluten-free crackers

  • Coconut Flour

  • Toasted gluten-free bread, processed into gluten-free breadcrumbs

  • Gluten-free oats

How To Make Gluten-Free Meatloaf

This recipe is perfectly seasoned and SUPER tasty. We top it with a tangy tomato glaze that is sweet and delicious.

  • Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and instructions!

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Heat coconut oil or olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then saute the onion until slightly translucent, about 5 minutes. Add in the garlic and saute for another 60 seconds before removing from the heat and setting aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the ground beef, onion and garlic mixture, grated zucchini, eggs, flaxseed meal, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  3. In a greased 9 x 13″ baking dish, form the meat mixture into a loaf.
  4. In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 tbsp maple syrup, and 1 tsp stevia (optional). You can also use brown sugar if sugar isn’t an issue for you.
  5. Spread the ketchup mixture evenly over the meatloaf. Place the meat loaf pan in the oven and bake it for 60-75 minutes until the internal temperature registers 160 degrees F.
  6. Allow it to cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
A metal mixing bowl filled with mixed zucchini meatloaf mixture
A glass measuring cup filled with ketchup mixture for meatloaf
A raw loaf of meatloaf in a baking dish with shredded zucchini visible in the loaf
A freshly sauced raw meatloaf in a white baking dish with bright red ketchup sauce over the top

The Health Benefits Of The Ingredients

Grass-fed BeefWhile beef in general remains a controversial topic, we do occasionally eat it. Pasture-raised beef has higher levels of vitamins A, E, and other antioxidants when compared to grain-fed beef. Grass-fed beef also has significantly lower levels of saturated fat. If you want to learn more, check out this Web MD article Grass-fed Beef: Is It Good For You? If you want to keep this meatless, you can use ground turkey!
Flaxseed MealFlaxseeds are one of the world’s oldest crops. They are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and contain protein and fiber. They are particularly high in thiamine which is a B vitamin that is important for energy metabolism and cellular function. I also love that this is a whole food, and not a processed food like the traditional breadcrumbs used in meatloaf.
ZucchiniZucchini is rich in several vitamins and minerals, including manganese, vitamin C, and potassium. Its ample vitamin A content may help support your vision and immune system, and zucchini is loaded with antioxidants like carotenoids.
OnionOnions are very nutrient-dense and are particularly high in vitamin C which helps with your body’s immune response. They are also rich in folate and vitamin B6 which play key roles in metabolism and nerve function.
A mixing bowl filled with raw beef, shredded zucchini, eggs, flax meal, spices and onions

Tips For Success With Easy Gluten-Free Meatloaf

  • Make Individual Meatloaves For More Sauce – I don’t know about you, but I LOVE the sauce on meatloaf, and I always wish there was more. If that sounds like you and your family, just make individual-sized meatloaf and double the sauce recipe! This recipe should make about 6 individual meatloaves. Start checking their internal temperature around 45 minutes and take them out when they reach 160 degrees F.

  • Make Sure To Check The Internal Temperature – Every oven cooks differently, so make sure you are checking the internal temperature of the meatloaf before serving it. What should the internal temperature of meatloaf be? 160 degrees Fahrenheit at it’s thickest part.

  • Try To Use Grass-fed Beef – As I mentioned previously, grass-fed beef has some benefits over grain-fed, like less saturated fat and increased density of nutrients. It’s usually only about $1 more, so I say it’s worth it!

  • Turn Leftovers Into A Meatloaf Sandwich – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I recommend serving a slice between two pieces of gluten-free bread slathered with mayonnaise and more ketchup mixture! Throw some greens and red onion on it and you have an absolutely delicious leftover meatloaf sandwich. Just remember to heat up the meatloaf!

Overhead shot of a meatloaf with ketchup sauce on a white platter with a zucchini in the corner

What To Serve With Meatloaf

This healthy gluten free meatloaf recipe goes great with a side like mashed potatoes and a green vegetable. Roasted or steamed broccoli, asparagus, and zucchini all go great. Squash, like butternut squash, is also a wonderful side and can be served mashed or roasted.

A finished zucchini meatloaf recipe with two slices and a log on a white serving platter sprinkled with parsley
@recipehippie

This gluten-free meatloaf recipe is loaded with fiber and hidden vegetables, making it a great dinner option for families! Just mix all of the meatloaf ingredients together, form it into a log and bake it. It’s super simple and perfectly seasoned. Full recipe on the blog, link in bio! #meatloaf #dinnerideas #healthydinnerinspo #recipesoftiktok

♬ Flowers – Miley Cyrus

More Recipes You Will Love

This is honestly just the best meatloaf recipe because it’s so darn healthy! It’s dairy free, gluten-free and low carb. Check out these other healthy recipes!

  • Sheet Pan Hummus Chicken and Veggies

  • Skillet Roasted Pomegranate Spatchcock Chicken

  • 7 Ingredient Lemon Dill Chicken Kabobs

  • 5 Ingredient Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Did you make this healthy meatloaf recipe?  It would mean so much to me if you would rate it below the recipe card and tag me in your creation on Instagram so I can admire your work! @RecipeHippie

A loaf of healthy meatloaf cut into two pieces

Gluten-Free Meatloaf Recipe

This gluten-free meatloaf recipe is loaded with fiber and hidden vegetables, making it a great dinner option for families! It's super simple and perfectly seasoned.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 8 mins
Cook Time 1 hr 15 mins
0 mins
Total Time 1 hr 23 mins
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds grass-fed ground beef
  • 2 small onions, chopped small
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced or pressed through garlic presser
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini (usually one large zucchini)
  • 1/3 cup flaxseed meal or millet (see blog post for substitutions)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 tbsp table salt
  • 2 tbsp dried italian seasoning
  • fresh cracked black pepper

Ingredients For Tomato Mixture

  • 1/2 cup sugar-free ketchup
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp stevia (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then saute the onion until slightly translucent, about 5 minutes. Add in the garlic and saute for another 60 seconds before removing from the heat and setting aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix together the ground beef, onion and garlic mixture, grated zucchini, eggs, flaxseed meal, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  • In a greased 9 x 13" baking dish, form the meat mixture into a loaf.
  • In a small bowl, combine the sugar-free ketchup, 1 tbsp maple syrup, and 1 tsp stevia (optional). Spread the ketchup mixture evenly over the meatloaf and bake it for 60-75 minutes until the internal temperature registers 160 degrees F.
  • .Allow it to cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Keyword gluten-free meatloaf recipe, healthy meatloaf recipe

This recipe is honestly the best gluten free comfort food. Check out these other recipes that you might enjoy!

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Category: Dinner Recipes, Healthy Recipes, Mediterranean Diet Recipes, Recipes Using Beef
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Hey, I’m Liz!

I am SO thrilled to meet you!

I’m a Physical Therapy Assistant turned food blogger, and love merging my intrigue for the human body with my passion for all things food! I’m here to show you that enjoying a Mediterranean diet doesn’t mean that you can only eat Mediterranean food! I can’t wait to show you how rewarding the MedDiet lifestyle can be!

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Hello! I am the recipe hippie, and I am here to give you a free spirited approach towards home cooking. When it comes to the ingredients you have available, I challenge you to reject your conventional notions around recipes and think outside of the box. Substitutions are encouraged! So open up your pantry, get creative and have fun. Some of the greatest things in life originated through improvisation!

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