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Home » Main Dishes » Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs and Spaghetti Squash (Slow Cooker)

Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs and Spaghetti Squash (Slow Cooker)

Last Updated June 21, 2022. Published October 20, 2020 Good For You Gluten Free

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Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs and Spaghetti Squash (Slow Cooker)
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This gluten-free turkey meatballs recipe is a weeknight favorite in my house. I use store-bought marinara sauce and cook the spaghetti squash inside the slow cooker for a super-duper easy weeknight meal. This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosures.

This wonderful slow cooker gluten-free turkey meatballs and spaghetti squash recipe is the perfect weeknight meal, and it can be made ahead of time so it’s ready when the dinner hour inevitably rolls around.

The turkey meatballs come out are juicy and tender. The spaghetti squash is cooked to perfection with little fuss. And the sauce is simmering and warm.

What more could you want from a delicious, healthy, low-carb pasta meal?

Close up on turkey meatballs over spaghetti squash as seen on Good For You Gluten Free

Instructions

To make my gluten-free turkey meals with spaghetti squash, follow these steps:

Step #1: Prepare Your Slow Cooker

Add one jar of your favorite marinara sauce to your slow cooker. The more flavorful the sauce the better.

Picture of slow cooker with marinara sauce in it

I absolutely love Mezzetta Spicy Marinara sauce and Jersey Tomato Spicy Marinara sauce, and I highly recommend either jarred sauce for maximum flavor. Do not use an okay or cheap sauce, and always check labels to ensure whatever sauce you use is gluten free.

If your sauce is not spicy, but you want it spicy, add 2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes to the sauce.

Also, feel free to add more seasonings to the sauce, like salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder or whatever spices you like.

I find the Mezzetta and Jersey Tomato spicy sauces are bursting with flavor and do not require additional seasoning.

Step #2: Prepare the Turkey Meatballs

My turkey meatball recipe requires you to combine the ground turkey, brown rice flour (or breadcrumbs), egg, oil and seasonings and mash everything up by hand, preferably using disposable gloves, until well mixed.

Picture of all the ingredients to make this recipe including ground turkey, squash, sauce, and seasonings.

Roll turkey mixture into medium-sized balls. You should be able to make about 10-14 turkey meatballs depending on the size you make them.

Now cover the meatballs with another jar of sauce so the meatballs are fully covered.

Pictures of turkey meatballs in the sauce inside the slow cooker

Step #3: Prepare the Spaghetti Squash

Wash the squash thoroughly, then, using a sharp knife, poke three large holes in the top of the squash. Set it on a paper towel in your microwave and microwave the squash on high for two minutes until just slightly softened.

Use a sharp knife to cut the squash in half. Remove the seeds and place face up (skin side down) on top of the meatballs and sauce.

Picture of sliced opened spaghetti squash on top of meatballs and sauce inside slow cooker

Step #4: Wait Patiently

Set your slow cooker to cook the meatballs on high for four hours.

Now wait patiently for your gluten-free turkey meatballs to cook. They will plump up and become juicy as they simmer in the sauce all day.

Step #5: Remove and Fork Squash

Remove the spaghetti squash from the slow cooker and allow it to cool on a plate for five minutes. Using a fork, shred the squash flesh into a large bowl.

Picture of cooked spaghetti squash being scraped into spaghetti strands

Step #6: Eat

Enjoy some spaghetti squash topped with meatballs and delicious marinara sauce. You can also top the final recipe with fresh basil, parmesan cheese, or just enjoy it as it.

Final image of plated turkey meatballs over spaghetti squash

There is truly no better way to enjoy delicious and juicy gluten-free turkey meatballs than over low-carb, good for you, and naturally gluten-free spaghetti squash. Enjoy!

Upclose picture on turkey meatballs.

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Picture of spaghetti squash on a plate topped with meatballs and sauce

Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs and Spaghetti Squash (Slow Cooker)

Weeknight meals don't have to be hard, and this one is as easy as it can get. My gluten-free turkey meatballs come out juicy and plump, and the spaghetti squash is steamed to perfection. This is truly a one-pot meal!
4.60 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: crockpot, Gluten-Free slow cooker recipe, ground turkey, meatballs, meatballs and spaghetti, spaghetti squash, turkey meatballs
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 236kcal
Author: Jenny Levine Finke

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  • 2 jars marinara sauce Each jar is about 26 ounces or use enough sauce to fully immerse the meatballs. See notes below for brand recommendations
  • 1.5 lbs ground turkey
  • 1/4 cup brown rice flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 spaghetti squash medium

Instructions

  • Add 1 jar of marinara sauce to the slow cooker and set aside.
  • Combine turkey, flour, egg, oil, and seasonings in a large bowl. Shape into about 10-14 evenly-sized meatballs and place each ball in the sauce until fully immersed. Add another jar of sauce to the top of the meatballs to ensure the meatballs are fully immersed in the sauce.
  • Carefully, and with a sharp knife, slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. If you have trouble slicing it, poke 3-4 holes in the top and microwave it on a paper towel on high for 2 minutes. This will soften it slightly to make it easier to cut. Gently place squash on top of meatballs, face side up, and cover the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours.
  • Before serving, remove squash from the slow cooker with tongs and allow it to cool for about five minutes. Use your fork to remove the squash flesh from the skin.
  • Divide squash, meatballs and sauce onto plates and enjoy. Top with fresh basil or parmesan cheese (optional).

Notes

I love using spicy marinara sauce. It adds so much bonus flavor to the mix. Mezzetta makes a spicy marinara sauce that is gluten free and so good!
To help slice the squash in half, microwave it on high for 1-2 minutes. It will soften it just a bit to make it easier to cut with a knife. Be careful when slicing it!
If you (or your kids) don’t like spaghetti squash, make a side of brown rice noodles to enjoy with the meatballs instead. I recommend Tinkyada or Jovial brown rice noodles. Both offer good texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 487mg | Potassium: 555mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 293IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @GoodForYouGlutenFree or tag #goodforyouglutenfree!

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Welcome to Good For You Gluten Free

Hi, I'm Jenny Levine Finke and am passionate about the gluten-free lifestyle. I'm a certified integrative nutrition coach and self-taught expert on [most] gluten-free things. I have celiac disease and know the struggles you're going through first-hand. This is why I've dedicated this blog to serving the celiac and gluten sensitive communities with important information, product and restaurant reviews, and simple recipes I hope you'll love. Read More…

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