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    Home » Food and Drink » Entrees » Dairy-Free and Egg-Free Meatballs Recipe

    Dairy-Free and Egg-Free Meatballs Recipe

    June 27, 2016 by Jenna Urben 66 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Dairy-Free and Egg-Free Meatballs are a quick and easy delicious homemade meal. Both kid-friendly and husband-approved, you'll never buy meatballs from the store again. These allergy-friendly baked meatballs are sure to please everybody at the table.

    Dairy Free and Egg Free Meatballs

    Best Dairy Free and Egg Free Meatballs

    Weeknight dinners don't have to be boring, time-consuming, or stressful. These allergy-friendly meatballs will please everybody in the family and are perfect for making ahead and freezing.

    Years ago, I learned the hard way that most store-bought meatballs contain both dairy and egg, along with other non-allergy-friendly ingredients. Rather than giving up on meatball dinners, I made baked meatballs at home and simply left out the egg and cheese. To our surprise, they stayed together exceptionally well, stayed juicy, and tasted delicious!

    Homemade Dairy Free and Egg Free Meatballs Recipe

    How to Make Dairy Free Meatballs

    Over the years, this 30-minute eggless meatball recipe has become our go-to for easy weeknight meals. They're perfect over any pasta or zucchini noodles! In addition to spaghetti and meatballs, try them stuffed in meatball subs, sliced up on pizza or in calzones, or in soup.

    To make these meatballs, simply mix together ground beef, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and italian seasoning together in a large bowl. Once well combined, roll into equal-sized balls and place on a prepared baking sheet.

    Bake for about 15 minutes then serve as an appetizer, over pasta of choice, or let cool completely then place in freezer for meal prepping.

    Dairy Free Egg Free Gluten Free Meatballs over Pasta Dinner

    Allergy-Friendly Meatballs FAQ

    Can I make meatballs without eggs, really? YES! I bet you won't even notice the difference. They're just as juicy and flavorful!

    What should I serve as a side to my spaghetti and dairy free meatballs? Try my quick and easy bruschetta for an appetizer and crispy baked zucchini and squash on the side.

    Can I use an egg replacer? You can, but you really don't have to (: I always recommend Bob's Red Mill egg replacer.

    Is there a dairy free substitute for parmesan cheese? I really enjoy sprinkling Bragg Premium Nutritional Yeast Seasoning on dishes to give it a nutty cheesy flavor. Go Veggie Vegan Grated Parmesan Style Topping is good too.

    Want more recommendations? Join my Dairy-Free & Egg-Free Recipes Facebook Group!

    Can I make them in a non-stick pan instead of baking them? Sure! Instead of transferring the uncooked meatballs to a baking sheet, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs until golden and cooked through, flipping at least once. Depending on the size of your pan, you may have to work in batches.

    How do I store meatballs? Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days.

    How do I freeze meatballs? Once meatballs are cooled completely, transfer them to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

    Want more easy recipes? Check these out next:

    • Dairy-Free & Egg-Free Cottage Pie
    • Biscuits and Sausage Gravy (Dairy-Free & Egg-Free)
    • Instant Pot Tamales
    • French Bread Pizza
    • Spaghetti Squash Pizza Casserole (Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free)

    Dairy-Free and Egg-Free Meatballs Recipe

    I hope you add my dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, paleo, and whole30-approved meatball recipe to your weekly dinner rotation. They bake up perfectly and freeze well for meal planning. If you try this recipe, please share a photo with me over on Instagram♡

    Dairy-Free & Egg-Free Meatballs

    Dairy-Free and Egg-Free Meatballs are a quick and easy delicious homemade meal. Both kid-friendly and husband-approved, you'll never buy storebought meatballs again. These allergy-friendly baked meatballs are sure to please everybody at the table.
    4.69 from 16 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 12 meatballs

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound ground beef
    • ½ small onion finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce optional
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 teaspoon oregano
    • 1 teaspoon dried basil
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
    • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
    • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you're cooking!

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400 F.
    • Mix everything together in a large bowl.
    • Roll the seasoned meat into small round balls and place onto a prepared baking sheet.
    • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked.
    • Once cooked, remove from oven and enjoy!
    Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating or review in the form below, then snap a picture and tag me @theurbenlife on Instagram!

     SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT

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    About Jenna Urben

    Jenna Urben is the recipe developer, content creator, and storyteller behind The Urben Life. She has over 10 years experience adapting family favorite meals to fit allergy-friendly diets. Join Jenna as she shares delicious dairy-free recipes that are easy to follow with plenty of tips and alternatives.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melissa

      February 17, 2022 at 6:32 pm

      5 stars
      I definitely threw in too much seasoning (ran out of oregano, tried to improvise and failed), but it’s still really great. We are only dairy-free because of my 3 month old’s milk protein allergy, so I messed with the recipe a little. I added 1/4 crushed ritz crackers and 1 egg. Then I baked it and finished cooking them in pasta sauce on the stove. Yum! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jenna Urben

        February 18, 2022 at 10:05 am

        That sounds delicious, Melissa! I'm always running out of oregano and basil haha. Thanks for leaving a comment 🙂 I really appreciate it!

        Reply
    2. Jasmine

      December 06, 2021 at 6:31 pm

      Hi, I was wondering if I had to use ground beef or pork…. Could I use ground chicken instead? And should I add more liquid to them since ground chicken don’t really make its own juices lol! Thanks in advance

      Reply
      • Jenna Urben

        February 18, 2022 at 10:04 am

        Hi Jasmine! I haven't tried using ground chicken but I have replace the ground beef with ground turkey before and it turned out great. Please let me know if you have success 🙂

        Reply
    3. Lilien

      November 17, 2021 at 9:58 am

      3 stars
      I made these last night and baked them for 15 minutes. The meatballs were very hard. I would say each meatball was approximately 1 1/2" in diameter. What could've gone wrong?

      Reply
      • Jenna Urben

        November 19, 2021 at 10:08 am

        Hi Lilien! These meatballs are more dense than traditional meatballs to begin with since we aren't using any milk or eggs as a binder. Hard meatballs are often the result of overcooking or overmixing. When combining the ingredients and rolling into meatballs, I try to work very gently and not pack them too tightly. Another tip I've come across is to keep the meat as cold as possible before cooking. I hope this helps 🙂

        Reply
        • Lilien

          November 20, 2021 at 5:18 am

          Thanks, Jenna. I'll try again.

          Reply
    4. Heidi

      October 02, 2021 at 6:31 pm

      5 stars
      I've made these several times and they're delicious! Not sure why I always thought I had to have a binder for meatballs. Thanks for sharing your recipe!

      Reply
      • Jenna Urben

        November 19, 2021 at 10:08 am

        So happy to hear that, Heidi!

        Reply
    5. Megan

      August 27, 2021 at 2:11 pm

      Hi there! What kind of pasta / bread for meatball subs do you use that is egg and dairy free. Even sauce. ?? I’m clueless!!

      Reply
    6. Sandra Patterson

      August 13, 2021 at 12:10 pm

      5 stars
      This is a fantastic recipe. Just what I am looking for, as I am planning a party on
      the 22nd. of August and most attending are gluten-free. I'd like to know how
      long to cook them in my crock pot, and should I brown them first.

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        August 18, 2021 at 10:07 pm

        Hi Sandra! Brown them first, then pop them in the slow cooker with your sauce. I recommend setting the crockpot to low for 6-8 hours. Have fun 🙂

        Reply
    7. Bree

      May 22, 2021 at 5:48 pm

      5 stars
      Just made these. The best tasting meatballs I have ever made. Thank you for the recipe. The meatballs were juicy and flavorful. I did add some hot pizza pepper to mine. Also I used 1/2 lb. ground pork and 1/2 ib. ground beef.

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        August 18, 2021 at 10:08 pm

        Hi Bree 🙂 Thank you so much! Yummm, that sounds tasty.

        Reply
    8. LucyAnn

      October 16, 2020 at 3:54 pm

      Can you put some bread crumbs in them

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        October 17, 2020 at 11:17 am

        I have not made them with breadcrumbs, but I would imagine if they're fine and dry, it should work. Please let me know if you try it out and how it works 🙂

        Reply
        • lisa hall

          November 28, 2020 at 9:07 am

          How much breadcrumbs would you use in this recipe?

          Reply
          • Jenna | The Urben Life

            November 30, 2020 at 12:07 pm

            Hi Lisa! I would start with 1/4 cup breadcrumbs first and then as you begin to mix, add more to your preference. Next time I make these, I'll experiment!

      • lisa a hall

        November 28, 2020 at 9:07 am

        Lucy did you try this recipe with breadcrumbs and if so how much did you use?

        Reply
      • Jenn Kilmurray

        December 12, 2020 at 4:40 pm

        Lucyann- i have been using this recipe for the last couple months- adding oat flour and some hidden veggies like peppers, sweet potato, carrots, etc. I feel like the oat flour sucks up any added moisture. My kids also don't notice that they ate a sweet potato. 🙂

        Reply
        • Jacqui

          June 05, 2021 at 6:36 pm

          I LOVE the simplicity of this meatball recipe and they always turn out great!! I am usually pushed for time (or just plain lazy) so I throw in a random shake each of garlic and onion powder and a bit of coconut aminos...quick and easy peasy and delicious!! Great for picnics and road trips and the whole family loves them...Big win! Thanks so much for sharing this simple but tasty recipe.

          Reply
          • Jenna | The Urben Life

            August 18, 2021 at 10:09 pm

            Yay 🙂 I'm so happy to hear that! I love how simple this recipe is too. One of our all time favorites.

    9. Vera

      August 29, 2020 at 6:56 am

      5 stars
      So delicious! My daughter can’t eat gluten, egg or dairy so was looking for alternatives, These are a winner for everyone in our household.

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        August 29, 2020 at 9:17 am

        I'm thrilled to hear that, Vera 🙂

        Reply
    10. Jeziel Berrios

      May 31, 2020 at 3:53 pm

      Can I make them in a non-stick pan instead of baking them?

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        June 01, 2020 at 8:46 am

        Hi Jeziel! I haven't not tried cooking them in a pan, but it should work, no problem 🙂 Cook until all sides are browned and each meatball is cooked through.

        Reply
    11. Megan

      April 18, 2020 at 4:22 pm

      Is the onion critical to this recipe? I see onion in lots of meatball and meatloaf recipes, but we don't tolerate onions. Anything I could use instead of onion? Thank you.

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        April 18, 2020 at 4:32 pm

        Hi Megan! Onion is not critical, you can simply leave it out. I'll try to think of some add-ins 🙂 Please let me know what you think.

        Reply
    12. Michelle

      February 17, 2020 at 11:38 am

      Silly question but can you freeze these after making?

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        February 17, 2020 at 12:41 pm

        Hey Michelle 🙂 I've never tried freezing these but meatballs can definitely be frozen. I would cook them then allow them to cool completely before adding them to a freezer bag.

        Reply
    13. Janna Smith

      October 15, 2019 at 12:12 pm

      Hi - I have some Bob's Red Mill Nutritional Yeast. Would you suggest adding it to this recipe? If so, how much? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        October 15, 2019 at 12:19 pm

        Hi Janna 🙂 Oh yes, absolutely! I love Bob's Nutritional Yeast - I literally sprinkle some on everything. You could mix it in to bake or just top your dish with it! If mixing in, I would use about a teaspoon.

        Reply
    14. Kelly

      August 21, 2019 at 8:46 pm

      I love how healthy these meatballs are. It has all my favorites in it and none of the things I can't eat. Hooray!

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        August 26, 2019 at 11:08 am

        So happy to hear that 🙂

        Reply
    15. Chris

      January 14, 2019 at 4:50 pm

      When you use them in Italian wedding soup do you still bake them or can they cook in the broth without falling apart?

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        January 14, 2019 at 5:34 pm

        Hi Chris! I have always baked them first then tossed them into the soup with the greens towards the end. I will test it out next time I make it – thanks so much.

        Reply
    16. Sheila Rhodes

      August 31, 2018 at 3:38 pm

      5 stars
      These sound yummy and I have am ample supply of spaghetti squash to use up! I'm looking forward to trying these.

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        September 03, 2018 at 12:47 pm

        YAY! Enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    17. Brooks

      August 30, 2018 at 8:16 pm

      These look great. My family loves meatballs!! I've never tried homemade ones!

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        September 03, 2018 at 12:46 pm

        Thank you 🙂 I hope you try them out!

        Reply
    18. Turtle

      August 30, 2018 at 12:06 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so so good! I definitely need to give it a go one night.

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        August 30, 2018 at 1:06 pm

        I hope you do 🙂 Enjoy!

        Reply
    19. Jamie Young

      August 30, 2018 at 11:37 am

      5 stars
      My daughter has an egg allergy, so I am definetly making this ASAP! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        August 30, 2018 at 11:38 am

        Perfect, y'all enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    20. Nikki Boether

      August 30, 2018 at 11:35 am

      5 stars
      These look amazing! I am such a sucker for a good meatball - I will have to try this one out. Saving!

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        August 30, 2018 at 11:38 am

        Yay! I hope you love them 🙂

        Reply
    21. janna conner

      May 18, 2018 at 4:17 pm

      these look tasty. my family doesn't have any allergies so we don't have a problem with dairy or gluten but I'll pass along to friends that do!

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        May 18, 2018 at 5:03 pm

        Great, thank you!

        Reply
    22. Sarah

      May 17, 2018 at 6:56 pm

      If these were meat free as well as dairy and egg free I would be in the kitchen making them right now! Being vegetarian I can't test them out but they sound tasty if your a meat eater 🙂

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        May 17, 2018 at 6:58 pm

        Thanks, I should experiment making vegan meatballs!

        Reply
    23. Ophalyn Lee

      January 19, 2018 at 7:46 pm

      Yummmmy!!! I'm gonna have to try this:) and BTW I love your photo:)

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        January 20, 2018 at 1:22 pm

        Yay, let me know what you think!! I really appreciate your comment 🙂

        Reply
    24. alventureblogs

      May 03, 2017 at 11:35 am

      oh my!!! so tasty

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        May 03, 2017 at 11:37 am

        This is one of my favorite recipes 🙂

        Reply
    25. Carissa

      May 03, 2017 at 10:11 am

      That meatball sub is what I need in my life! This recipe is simple but looks oh so delicious!
      I think I'll be making this over the weekend!
      These are the things I list after in life!
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        May 03, 2017 at 11:19 am

        Yesss, enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    26. Jean Lane

      May 02, 2017 at 1:15 pm

      yummy!

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        May 02, 2017 at 4:10 pm

        Thanks 🙂

        Reply
    27. colourfulmishmash

      May 02, 2017 at 8:40 am

      Definitely going to try this out 🙂
      https://colourfulmishmash.wordpress.com/

      Reply
      • Jenna | The Urben Life

        May 02, 2017 at 9:18 am

        Enjoy!!

        Reply
    28. Sandy KS

      March 16, 2017 at 12:05 pm

      I am going to try this. I always thought you had to have eggs to hold it together.

      Reply
      • theurbenlife

        March 16, 2017 at 12:52 pm

        I thought so too, until I tried it and they stayed together just fine! 🙂
        I've recently started using a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water) in place of an egg while baking. I want to try that out with this recipe–I will update once I try it out!

        Reply
    29. theurbenlife

      March 07, 2017 at 12:03 pm

      I'm glad I could help 🙂

      Reply
    30. The Yankee Frugalist

      February 28, 2017 at 1:44 pm

      Oh...needed this. My daughter is on a restrictive diet at the moment and can't do gluten or eggs. Thank you!

      Reply
      • theurbenlife

        February 28, 2017 at 1:57 pm

        You're very welcome! I hope your family enjoys 🙂

        Reply

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