65 Cheap Gluten-Free Meals: Affordable & Easy Recipes
Living with celiac disease or gluten intolerance creates a substantial financial burden. A 2019 study on the Persistent Economic Burden of the Gluten-Free Diet found that Gluten-free food products were overall 183% more expensive than comparable wheat-based products.
The good news is that the vast majority of the gluten-free diet does not need to be made up of gluten-free specialty products. Now, we all need a gluten-free cookie every once in a while, but you will do your pocketbook and your waistline a favor if the bulk of your diet is based on naturally gluten-free foods.
This collection of delicious and affordable gluten-free recipes from my food blogger friends can inspire your next meal plan.
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You can have your health without breaking your budget. In fact, you may find that in addition to the health benefits of treating celiac disease with your gluten-free diet, you have been unexpectedly pushed into reimagining your home cooking with fresh, whole foods.
As always, when preparing gluten-free recipes, confirm that your ingredients are all gluten-free. At the grocery store, my mantra is “read every label, every time” to avoid grabbing the wrong item or not catching ingredient changes by trusted brands.
Some of the common ingredients to check for gluten are broth, bouillon, seasoning blends, and all sauces, including enchilada sauce and soy sauce (use gluten-free tamari instead of traditional, wheat-containing soy sauce). Labeled gluten-free nuts and grains are recommended to avoid cross-contamination with wheat, barley, and rye in the field and in the factory.
These recipes were all selected with your time and money in mind: sheet pan, slow cooker, instant pot, air-fryer, and one-skillet dinners, along with easy casseroles, soups, salads, and kid-friendly dishes! I hope you love these simple and affordable meals that will make your gluten-free life a little easier.
For more money-saving ideas, check out 37 Tips for Gluten-Free on a Budget.
Gluten-Free Sheet Pan Meals
These easy gluten-free turkey meatballs are everything you love about classic meatballs, with none of the gluten! Bake on a sheet pan in your oven and pair with gluten-free pasta and a salad.
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These Sheet Pan Tostadas are ready in under 30 minutes! Crunchy tostadas and refried black beans, both homemade with heart-healthy olive oil. Seasoned shredded chicken and melted cheese. Garnished with your favorite fresh toppings. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner!
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Oven-baked chicken drumsticks are roasted until crispy, juicy and delicious every time. This gluten-free recipe is great for kids for an easy weeknight meal.
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Sheet Pan Spaghetti Squash & Meatballs is a delicious sheet pan dinner using vitamin-rich spaghetti squash. Combine with the ease of store-bought or leftover gluten-free meatballs and spaghetti sauce, and you'll have a healthy dinner on the table in no time!
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When you're searching for easy gluten-free dinners, it doesn't get simpler than a tasty sheet pan meal! This healthy, Sweet Chili Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe is full of fresh herbs, flavor from sweet chili sauce (I recommended Thai Kitchen Gluten-Free Sweet Red Chili Sauce), fresh vegetables, and lean chicken breasts.
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Simple and delicious, this one-pan Oven-Roasted Sausage and Potatoes Recipe is filled with onion, sweet Italian sausage, bell peppers, and baby potatoes. Enjoy this hearty, family-friendly dinner as a quick weeknight meal and enjoy the leftovers for meal prep the next afternoon.
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Gluten-Free Egg-in-a-Hole is an easy sheet pan breakfast. This simple recipe is fun, affordable, quick, and easily doubled or tripled for a hungry crowd. It also makes an inexpensive breakfast-for-dinner. Nothing goes to waste. Save the cut-out circles in the freezer to use another day for tea sandwiches.
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This Sweet Potato Hash is done Tex Mex style! Packed with flavor, vegetables and protein, it’s easy to make in a sheet pan & kids love it too!
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Enjoy all the delicious Mediterranean flavors that you love with this easy Sheet Pan Greek Chicken & Vegetables recipe. This quick meal has everything that you need for dinner in just a few simple steps in just one dish.
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Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas are an easy, healthy meal. Make extra to have on hand for a ready-to-go leftovers lunch!
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Gluten-Free Slow-Cooker and Instant Pot Meals
Gluten-Free Turkey Chili is hearty, healthy, and the perfect cozy dinner. Made with ground turkey, black beans, quinoa, veggies, and warm spices, your family will love this affordable, complete meal all in one bowl!
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Instant Pot Southwestern Chicken and Rice! Throw everything in the instant pot and walk away. You’ll have a delicious, satisfying, healthy dinner 30 minutes later!
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Be sure to use gluten-free Tamari in this recipe, not traditional, wheat-containing soy sauce! Easy tangy, salty-sweet Chicken Adobo is an authentic Filipino recipe made in the slow cooker! Served over rice for an easy dinner recipe.
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Mujadara is a simple yet super flavorful one-pot dish made of lentils, onions, and rice. It is budget-friendly, gluten-free, made in the instant pot, and can be served with salad and yogurt for a delicious meal.
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You won’t believe how fast and easy gluten-free chicken mole is until you try making it in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot! Less time = more flavour!
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Make this Crock Pot Chicken with Pineapple in your crockpot tonight. You only need 5 ingredients for this fresh, healthy, and fast dinner. Be sure to use gluten-free BBQ sauce!
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The easiest 4-bean vegan chili slow cooker recipe (or Instant Pot/ Stove). It’s packed with healthy ingredients, nutrients, bold flavors, and only inexpensive, basic pantry items! This slow-cooker vegetarian chili is also naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, and vegan – everyone will love it!
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This is a simple crock pot recipe for gluten free pulled pork. All you need is pork, chicken broth, and common spices for a healthy, easy dinner. Serve on top of baked potatoes or corn tortillas for a hearty and affordable entree!
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For more dinner-time inspiration, here are 40 Gluten-Free, Slow Cooker, Chicken Recipes.
Gluten-Free Casseroles
Make this delicious & easy recipe with leftover or shredded rotisserie chicken for a cozy, home-cooked dinner. I highly recommend using the bargain rotisserie chicken from Costco. It's labeled gluten-free and affordable!
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Layers of gooey mozzarella, rich creamy ricotta, spicy sausage, thick tomato sauce, and large, ridged rigatoni perfect for holding all that yummy sauce… baked to golden, bubbly perfection. Great for a potluck, family dinner, or make-ahead freezer meal! It's a family favorite!
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This gluten free taco casserole lives up to its claim of quick and easy. You can start with an affordable and gluten-free rotisserie chicken from Costco! Plus this recipe scores bonus points for being totally family friendly because, while it’s packed with yummy flavors, it’s not too spicy.
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The whole family will love cheesy chicken bacon ranch casserole recipe! This quick and easy gluten-free, low-carb chicken casserole has just 7 common ingredients, 5 minutes prep, and 2 ways to make it.
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Spinach and Pumpkin Rice Casserole is super creamy, combining sweet pumpkin puree with three gooey cheeses. With a protein-rich egg, fresh spinach and fluffy jasmine rice, this casserole is a wonderfully filling feast that lets your oven do the work.
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The made-from-scratch alfredo sauce in this recipe is gluten-free. If you use a store-bought sauce instead, double-check the label to make sure it's gluten-free. This easy creamy keto chicken Alfredo with broccoli bake is ready in 30 minutes or less!
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Gluten free shepherd’s pie also known as cottage pie can be made with lamb or beef and is a delicious hearty family dinner.
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Want more gluten-free casserole Recipes? Check out this roundup of 50 Gluten-Free Casserole Recipes for Busy Weeknights & Mornings!
Gluten-Free Skillet and Stove-Top Meals
This delicious Gluten-Free Turkey Pot Pie is a fabulous way to use up leftover turkey (and even leftover vegetables, if you have them). Make it all in one skillet for easy prep and clean-up!
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This easy gluten free Cajun Rice, Sausage, and Beans recipe is perfect for feeding a large family on a budget. It is full of delicious flavors!
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This is the thick, fluffy Gluten-Free Pan Pizza you've been missing! The bottom of the focaccia-style crust is fried to crispy perfection, and the toppings are taken right to the caramelized edge. This easy recipe requires well-rewarded patience for an overnight rise of the dough, resulting in an airy crust. Filling and delicious!
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This is the best dinner for busy nights. One pan easy chicken drumsticks recipe. You can saute these on the stove, or bake in the oven.
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Don't let the "wheat" in buckwheat worry you. It is a flowering plant, unrelated to wheat, and a wonderful addition to the celiac diet! This creamy and healthy buckwheat risotto with mushrooms is ready in 30 minutes and makes a perfect entree or side dish to anything!
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For a fast, EASY gluten-free dinner, try this keto crack slaw recipe. I’ll show you how to make easy egg roll in a bowl in just 15 minutes, with simple ingredients!
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This simple and delicious lentil dhal is made with just a few gluten-free pantry ingredients. Red lentils are cooked with fragrant spices, and creamy coconut milk until a creamy and thick texture is reached.
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A sweet potato shepherd’s pie skillet is the ultimate gluten-free comfort dinner. Features creamy sweet potatoes and a savory beef filling. Made in one pot in just an hour, this meal is sure to be a family favorite!
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Spaghetti squash Pad Thai is a gluten-free and grain-free version of the classic Pad Thai. Easy vegan and grain-free dinner idea.
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Ready in under 30 minutes, this One-Pot Pasta makes for a quick, easy, and refreshing meal. Plus, it's vegan, nut-free, and, of course, gluten-free!
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This gluten-free chicken and veggie stir fry rivals your favorite Chinese restaurant, but leaves out the gluten. It is quick and easy to make in just one pan!
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This healthy, easy, Paella Recipe needs only 10 main ingredients, 30 minutes, and 1 pan. All of the flavor of dining along Las Ramblas in Barcelona and naturally gluten-free!
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Gluten-Free Kid Favorites
Swirls of gooey mozzarella, savory pepperoni, and puffy pizza crust. Thanks to ready-made gluten-free pizza dough, these delicious Gluten-Free Pizza Rolls are quick, easy & affordable. Kid-friendly and simple to make on busy days!
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A hit with kids and "kids at heart", Gluten-Free Pretzel Dogs are deep golden brown & chewy on the outside with the perfect soft pretzel texture, wrapped around a savory hot dog. These are the real deal!
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This gluten-free hamburger helper is the perfect comfort food. It’s filling, warm, and full of taste.
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Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets recipe is an easy diary-free, egg-free alternative to your favorite fast food meal.
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Skip takeout this time! This crave-worthy gluten free burger recipe is easy, juicy, and a million times better. Serve on a gluten free bun.
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Better than take-out heathy chicken fried rice! Made with brown rice, loaded with veggies, and ready in less than 30 minutes. This recipe uses gluten-free coconut-animos, in lieu of soy sauce, which contains wheat. You could alternatively use gluten-free tamari.
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Instant Pot gluten-free pasta is hearty and tasty to fulfill the appetite. It's soo easy to make and uses only four ingredients!
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This cheesy one pot Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice Skillet is loaded with corn, peppers, and black beans for a delicious meal in 30 minutes!
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An easy pasta recipe made in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy school nights. Often our kiddos can't tolerate dairy while they are still healing after a celiac diagnosis. They can still enjoy this rich alfredo dish made with coconut milk and gut-healing broth.
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This kid-friendly One-Pot Cheesy Kielbasa, Broccoli, and Rice is a deliciously easy weeknight meal made in just one pan. It’s fast and easy to make, is great for the freezer, and is packed full of flavor. Most sausage is gluten-free, but always check the package. Boar's Head kielbasa is labeled gluten-free.
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Gluten-Free Air-Fryer Meals
This delicious turkey tenderloin recipe takes just a few minutes of prep (plus time marinating) and 25 minutes in the air fryer to deliver a tender turkey dinner that rivals a cooked-all-day Thanksgiving turkey.
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Perfectly crispy and juicy BBQ chicken thighs, made with only two ingredients in 30 minutes.
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The ultimate Air Fryer harvest casserole dinner that is loaded with sprouts, bacon, sweet potatoes, sausages, apple, and onion.
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Air-fryer chicken tacos are juicy, flavorful, and quick & easy to make. Choose gluten-free tortillas to stuff with tender chicken, cheese, and your favorite toppings. If you decide to substitute taco seasoning for the spices in this recipe, look for gluten-free taco seasoning.
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Classic Tex Mex Air Fryer Steak Fajitas made with thin strips of steak, colorful peppers, and onion. Quick and easy family-friendly meal made in under an hour! Be sure to use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and serve these fajitas in gluten-free tortillas.
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These chicken legs are gluten-free, easy, and delicious. They take just 20 minutes in the air fryer takes just 20 minutes and come out with perfectly crisp, flavorful skin.
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Craving Starbucks' egg bites without the gluten cross-contamination? These gluten-free egg bites are perfect for a protein-packed breakfast or lunch!
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If you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, Air Fryer Kielbasa with potatoes and peppers is the answer! From start to finish, it’s ready in less than 15 minutes using only 4 ingredients. Check the label on your sausage to confirm it is gluten-free.
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Gluten-Free Soups
The flavors of this hearty ham and bean soup come together perfectly and quickly in your pressure cooker. Enjoy a bowlful on a cold evening after a busy day at work!
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Warm, cozy, budget-friendly, and deliciously nourishing, this gluten-free chicken noodle soup is simply perfect. made with just 10 ingredients in about 25 minutes, this celiac-friendly version of the quintessential winter comfort food is never far from reach!
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This Italian garbanzo bean soup is full of savory flavor, healthy, protein-rich, high in fiber, and ready in 30 minutes! It’s a budget-friendly recipe using basic ingredients, like heart-healthy olive oil, fresh garlic, and staple pantry items.
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Let me show you how to make the BEST dairy-free potato leek soup! It turns out so creamy and silky smooth, yet it’s healthy and easy to make!
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This gluten-free hearty stuffed pepper soup is ready in under 1 hour and made with taste and texture in mind. Peppers, ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and herbs!
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This Gluten-Free Instant Pot Lentil Soup is made using simple pantry ingredients. It’s healthy and packed with vitamins and nutrients.
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It’s everything you love about one of your favorite Mexican dishes but in an easy-to-make, warm comforting soup! Our Gluten-Free Chicken Enchilada Soup recipe is packed full of flavor and is one of our new family favorites!
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If you love soup, this kid-friendly Mexican taco chicken soup is both delicious and healthy. Quick and easy to make, it is a one-pot meal.
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This Turkey Rice Soup is like a bowlful of comforting hugs! Creamy, richly flavorful, and deeply satisfying. Try it with leftover Thanksgiving turkey … or with Costco rotisserie chicken (it's labeled gluten-free).
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Gluten-Free Entree Salads
A healthy cranberry walnut chicken salad recipe. Perfect easy lunch for meal prep. Make into lettuce wraps, sandwiches, or big salads. Gluten-free. Ready in 10 min!
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This flavorful Roasted Chickpea Salad combines avocado, heirloom tomatoes, feta cheese and crisp cucumbers with roasted chickpeas and spices. It’s a Mediterranean salad served with creamy blackberry feta dressing that’s irresistible!
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This delicious vegan taco salad is creamy, crunchy, full of protein, and gluten-free!
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This gluten-free Shrimp Louie Salad is fresh, satisfying, and bursting with flavor! It’s packed with succulent grilled shrimp, hard-boiled egg, avocado, and plenty of veggies.
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This gluten-free sweet potato beet salad is full of color, flavor, and texture! Feta cheese, crunchy walnuts, and caramelized onions take it to the next level, while the honey balsamic dressing brings it all together!
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Panera may be off limits for those of us on a gluten-free diet, but it's delicious Green Goddess Salad is definitely in play with this copycat recipe. It's a satisfying, bright, crunchy, cobb salad with chicken and bacon.
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These delicious gluten-free dinner recipes are perfect when you need an easy meal on a busy weeknight or a stress-free recipe to impress guests at a dinner party.
Need more easy gluten-free meals? Here are related posts with more of my favorite recipes:
