Ever miss Italian food now that you're eating a gluten free diet?!? Well, you SHOULDN'T because there are plenty of gluten free options for you to enjoy and many, various gluten free substitutions that you can enjoy to make so delicious Italian recipes with and you wouldn't even know they're free of gluten!
It's actually really easy to turn a lot of Italian dishes gluten free. The main thing is to change the pasta choice. Instead of wheat containing pasta, you can use gluten free pasta made from various different flours that aren't made from wheat or other gluten containing ingredients.
The other big gluten culprit in Italian recipes is the use of traditional flour. None of the recipes we share below use it, instead they'll use gluten free flour options or flour blends. Be sure to check which option you're using to see if it has a binding agent like guar gum or xanthan gum if necessary. Some blends include it while others don't.
So, with that being said, you may be wondering what safe Italian food you can eat, and that is a great question that we are going to get into today. In this post, you'll find 18 incredible Italian meals you can make. But, first, let's find out if authentic, traditional pasta used in various Italian dishes is gluten free or not.
Is authentic Italian pasta gluten-free?
No, unfortunately, not all Italian pasta is gluten-free. Authentic Italian pasta typically contains wheat and is, therefore, not suitable or safe to consume for those with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance or allergy. But don't get depressed!
However, there are now many brands of gluten-free Italian pastas available in stores and online that are made using alternative ingredients such as rice flour, corn flour, quinoa flour, almond flour, and more.
It's also exciting to know that if you were to visit Italy, you would find gluten free options alllll over the place, both in restaurants and in a grocery store. Many people would think that Italy, known for delicious pasta and fancy Italian food, wouldn't be an easy place to find gluten-free pasta, but it is a lot easier than in many places the United States!
Side note, many of the recipes below are also great if you have other dietary needs or allergies. You'll see many keto approved, low carb, dairy free recipes. You can also find a few vegan and soy free recipes if you need them. Keep in mind that all of these are supposed to be gluten free recipes (as long as the original creator hasn't changed any ingredients at the time we post this gluten free recipe round up).
Gluten Free Italian Recipes
Enjoy all of these classic Italian flavors with these gluten free Italian recipes that your family will fall in love with. You'll enjoy just how simple these recipes too!
This is a classic Italian soup recipe that is also called Meatball Soup. Ready in an hour, this easy recipe will be on repeat in your kitchen!
You can't have Italian food without some delicious chicken parmesan! This grilled chicken recipe features a smoky homemade tomato sauce and all the lovely flavors you love about chicken parm without all the guilt, gluten, or carbs.
Baked Ziti is always a family favorite dinner idea. It's a great way to get the kids to help make dinner and everyone will love just how cheesy this gluten free pasta dish is. Add some spinach and cherry tomatoes to bring some extra veggies and really make a super flavorful meal out of it.
Here's another classic Italian meal that you can use chicken thighs for, which is usually a cheaper cut of chicken and we tend to stock up on it when we find it at a great price. Enjoy every bite of tender chicken with veggies, and a delicious sauce served with polenta for a fantastic meal!
Yum, this Italian Sausage and Peppers dish is one of those Italian meals that is so versatile and good on just about anything. You can serve this sausage and bell peppers dish by itself, or on some gluten free bread rolls, with rice, gluten free pasta, or over some mashed potatoes. Really any gluten-free options you want to use will work for this simple bell pepper and sausage recipe.
Polenta is a simple recipe that everyone can make. It's versatile and goes with plenty of other gluten-free recipes and is the perfect side dish to complement the main dish of your Italian meal. Learn to make some polenta from a lady whose family member lived and grew up in Italy.
Oh, this delicious stuffed chicken is one that everyone will love. Made with plenty of tender cherry tomatoes and topped with fresh basil, this Italian dish is the perfect 30 minute meal!
You can't go wrong with an eggplant parmesan recipe! This recipe does not disappoint either. It's made without breadcrumbs for easier digestion and is gluten free. It is totally giving off ratatouille vibes and is packed with fantastic flavor.
Who doesn't love a good calzone?! Well, this recipe is above all the rest because it is made with a homemade gluten-free dough and still has a crunchy, crispy exterior while boasting a chewy, tender inside. Pair this calzone with your favorite marinara sauce, pizza sauce, or tomato sauce and you'll have a perfect meal. Plus, this recipe is low fodmap which is great for those who follow an even more intense dietary restriction.
Another fantastic chicken parm recipe that is made with all gluten free ingredients, and this one is dairy free too! Super simple to make and ready in under an hour, this dish is one of our favorite gluten-free meals!
Craving an Italian soup? Here's a simple, traditional recipe, that has a tomato base and a tasty flavor. This soup is hearty and more like a stew that will fill your belly in no time.
These meatballs are versatile and can be enjoyed by themselves or with other gluten-free foods. Plus, they're Paleo, Whole 30 approved, and of course gluten free. Made with just a few ingredients like ground bison, a handful of spices and herbs, and some almond and tapioca flour, these meatballs come together in no time!
What's better than some low carb, keto approved, gluten free focaccia bread?!? The whole family will love this tasty bread to enjoy as a side with their gluten free pasta or other main dishes and healthy meals. Every pasta dish needs some tasty bread, right?!
This is a classic, traditional Italian cuisine recipe, made with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil, all drizzled with your favorite extra-virgin olive oil and a balsamic reduction. It's one of the most common Italian dishes around and is the perfect appetizer to start your Italian night off with.
Easy Lightened Up Gluten-Free Penne alla Vodka (Vegan, Allergy-Free)
This allergen friendly meal is a little lighter and different than the traditional pasta dish, but it's still just as declicious! With a creamy Italian vodka sauce and covering the pasta, this comfort meal features many health benefits you won't believe!
Here's another classic Italian dish gone gluten free, vegan, soy free, and still tastes like it's full of parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, and all the other ingredients to make a cheesy manicotti.
Mom's Best Classic Gluten-Free Vegan Baked Ziti (Soy-Free, Easy)
This soy free, easy baked vegan gluten free ziti is the perfect freezer meal to have on hand when you need dinner prepped, ready to go, waiting to be tossed in the oven. You only need 5 pantry staple ingredients to whip up a baking dish of your favorite ziti with this fantastic recipe.
Stuffed shells are another family approved recipe that will leave everyone with a full belly. Stuffed with vegan almond ricotta, your gluten free stuffed shells are sure to be a hit with this delicious dinner recipe.
I hope you enjoyed this collection of gluten-free Italian meals and have found a few new favorites to try out. Are you as excited as we are to try out some of these gluten free Italian meals for dinner this week? Which ones are you adding to your meal plan? Feel free to share your thoughts and what you are excited to make in your kitchen next with us in the comments section below.
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