This gluten free spaghetti sauce made by my mother in law for over 40 years is the real deal. It is brimming with hearty flavors that perfectly complement al dente pasta. Made with a blend of Italian seasoning, this family favorite recipe delivers those authentic Italian flavors that leaves everyone reaching for seconds.
From the savory blend of spices like chili powder, oregano, and parsley to the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce that create a flawless flavor and texture, this recipe is truly special. You’ll want to serve with gluten-free spaghetti and gluten-free garlic bread at your next family dinner.
When it comes to fast and delicious dinner recipes, I often rely on my instant pot or air fryer for recipes like this instant pot lasagna or this air fryer ravioli. However, this sauce recipe whips together in under 45 minutes for the perfect homemade Italian dinner.
Why you’ll love this gluten-free pasta sauce
- Classic flavors, no gluten: It has the Italian flavors that everyone knows and loves but without the gluten that’s commonly in pasta sauce. We found that easy herbs really gives this sauce a classic flavor. This recipe has been in my husbands family as his mom’s famous sauce recipe for over 40 years! Truly made by a nonna…
- Easy to store: You can store this sauce in the fridge and freezer for a weeknight dinner in no time. My mother in law taught me that this can easily be made and enjoyed all week long. She actually said the flavors builds over a day or two in the fridge. Freeze it in gallon ziplock bags and bring it out when you need a quick dinner.
- Even easier to make: There’s no advanced cooking skills required for this homemade pasta sauce. It is a simple recipe that can be made while you happily dance to Frank Sinatra in your kitchen. We specifically made with real, simple ingredients, so you can just get in the pantry and start cooking. Plus, it’s more nutritious than store-bought sauce.
What you need for this sauce
- Hamburger – I think lean (90/10) ground beef works best for this gluten-free sauce, but you can use whatever you have. In my opinion 80/20 is a bit too fatty but adding some sausage works as well for more flavor and good fat.
- Tomatoes – You’ll need tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato juice for an extra flavorful sauce. I am a big San Marzano tomato fan.
- Spices – A wide range of Italian spices like oregano, red pepper flakes, parsley, chili powder, and garlic salt take this recipe to the next level. If you have fresh basil or other fresh herbs, feel free to use them. They are certainly best from the garden!
- Cornstarch – A sprinkle of corn starch to the ground beef adds a subtle thickness that helps the sauce cling to gluten-free noodles. It’s the attention to detail that makes this easy recipe so delicious. This was my mother in laws secret…
How to make gluten-free spaghetti sauce
Brown the meat: Cook the beef in a large skillet with the onions until it’s no longer pink. Drain the excess grease.
Add cornstarch: Crumble the meat into small pieces and sprinkle with cornstarch and spices.
Simmer: Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally.
Serve: Serve with your favorite gluten-free spaghetti, top with parmesan cheese with a little olive oil, and enjoy.
Pro tip: Add a few tablespoons of pasta water to your sauce. This will help it stick to the pasta.
What gluten-free pasta works best with this sauce?
Finding a good pasta on a gluten-free diet can be challenging but my favorite brand is Jovial foods. They use natural ingredients and make tons of different types of pastas. For this gluten free recipe, I think the spaghetti is a great option but you can use bowtie, rigatoni, penne, etc. But my homemade 15-minute homemade gluten free egg noodles pasta is the best!
Variations
- Add vegetables – I recommend adding in diced zucchini, squash, bell peppers, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, or fresh spinach for added nutrients and flavors. (You can use an immersion blender to blend veggies into the sauce if you have picky eaters!)
- Type of pasta – While I prefer regular spaghetti or capellini noodles, you can easily use penne, rotini, angel hair, even fettuccine.
- Different meat – You can omit the meat all together or use Italian sausage, ground chicken, ground turkey, etc.
More dinner recipes you’ll love
- Gluten-free fried chicken
- Gluten-free spring rolls.
- Chipotle chicken pizza
- Instant pot chicken wings.
- Gluten free meat loaf
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Classic Gluten Free Spaghetti Sauce in 45-Minutes (Just like Nonna’s)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds hamburger
- 1 46 oz. can tomato juice
- 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
- 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon parsley
- 1/4 cup onion diced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- In a large pot, saute ground beef with onion until the meat is no longer pink
- Crumble meat and sprinkle with cornstarch and spices
- Add all remaining ingredients in the pot and simmer on medium-low for 30 minutes stirring every 10 minutes, liquid should be reduced by almost half
- Serve sauce over gluten free spaghetti with fresh parmesan and basil
Notes
Variations
-
- Add vegetables – I recommend adding in diced zucchini, squash, bell peppers, mushrooms, or fresh spinach for added nutrients and flavors.
-
- Type of pasta – While I prefer regular spaghetti or capellini noodles, you can easily use penne, rotini, angel hair, even fettuccine.
-
- Different meat – You can omit the meat all together or use Italian sausage, ground chicken, ground turkey, etc.
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