2023 was all about the Easy Gluten Free Dinners for my family. We needed meals that could be prepped or made in advance, or on the fly after tournaments or games, or on weeknights. So when I reviewed your most favorite blog recipes of 2023, it was no surprise to me that the top five were simple, healthy, nourishing dinners! They’re the perfect ones to revisit (or try for the first time!) between now and January 2nd. I hope you enjoy them!

*If you’re doing a Whole30, I’ve marked the recipes that are compliant.

Paleo meal prep 

Instant Pot Taco Pasta

This dish’s inspiration comes from a combo of the Hamburger Helper meals of my childhood and from Chili’s Skillet Queso, lol. My silky veggie-based, dairy-free nacho sauce has been a blog favorite since the Against All Grain blog days. Here, the sauce gets a boost from ground beef and my Healthy in a Hurry Taco seasoning, and wow does it make an incredible sauce for pasta. The perfect comfort meal combo of pasta and tacos and made in the Instant Pot for quickness and easy clean up — Instant Pot Taco Pasta, what could be better? 

Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Pasta 

I can’t wait to revisit this one! This Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Pasta is a take on my ever-popular Chicken Bacon Ranch Squash Noodles, and I need to make it more often than I do. Easy buffalo spiced chicken, tender (but never mushy) spaghetti squash strands and my favorite dairy-free herb ranch dressing are the perfect flavor pairings. And it couldn’t be easier. With almost no active cook time, it takes just 40 minutes to get this dinner to the table (mostly just the time for the squash to roast). This recipe is Whole30 as long as you ensure that you choose an approved hot sauce (without sugar), or make my version which is linked in the recipe. 

Easy Paleo Dinners

Thai Basil Beef

I love a recipe that uses ground beef in a different way than in the usual tacos or spaghetti sauce. Which is why I created this Thai-inspired Basil Beef dish for my last cookbook, Healthy in a Hurry. But it’s a recipe I love so much I decided I needed to share it on the blog too, so lucky you! Lots of garlic, some chiles, and a coconut aminos-based sauce, the star here is the Thai basil. But if you can’t find any, don’t worry! You can use regular basil and add a dash of anise or fennel to mimic the Thai basil flavor profile. It’s also ready in less than 15 minutes, and Whole 30 compliant, so give it a try!  

Easy Weeknight Gluten Free Dinners

Roasted Garlic Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce

There were tons of cottage cheese recipes floating around the internet this year. Lots were using it for sweet treats, which didn’t speak to me personally. But I did want to challenge myself to use cottage cheese in an unconventional way. Hence, this Roasted Garlic Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce was born! The recipe calls for a head of garlic which is not a typo, ha. You roast the head of garlic whole, which totally changes the flavor profile. It becomes sweet and tender with the perfect bite to combine with creamy cottage cheese. Once you’ve blended up the sauce, I swear you’d never be able to tell it’s cottage cheese-based, so if that’s been your barrier to making this one, trust me! It is perfect on its own, or you can top it with some blackened spiced chicken.  

Chicken Tray Bake with Potatoes and Meyer Lemon Olive Salsa

Mediterranean-inspired and impossibly easy, this Chicken Tray Bake with Potatoes and Meyer Lemon Olive Salsa, cooks on one sheet pan and uses one bowl. Its flavors remind me of a sun-kissed afternoon, and can bring a little dose of summer to wintertime too! It is impressive enough to serve company, but frees up your time for your guests. If you haven’t yet tried it, I heartily recommend you do! It is also Whole 30 compliant. 

More Gluten-Free Easy Weeknight Dinners

Paleo BBQ Bacon Burger Bowls

Paleo Salsa Chicken Tacos

Instant Pot Dairy-Free Chicken Broccoli Casserole