Bring a little Disney magic to your dinner table with this easy gluten-free Lady and the Tramp spaghetti and meatballs recipe! Made with Barilla gluten free spaghetti, lean homemade meatballs, and flavorful roasted garlic marinara, this family-friendly meal is perfect for busy weeknights.

One of the best parts of this recipe is getting the kids involved. Let them help measure the seasonings, shape the meatballs, or portion them with a small cookie scoop. Cooking together turns an ordinary dinner into quality family time—and the kids are often more excited to eat something they helped prepare!

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A Disney-Inspired Family Dinner

Is there a more iconic Disney dinner scene than Lady and Tramp sharing a plate of spaghetti and meatballs?

This gluten-free version is a fun way to recreate that sweet moment at home. Serve the spaghetti on one large platter for the family to share, add a red-and-white checkered tablecloth, and play music from the movie to make dinner feel extra special.

You could even plan a family movie night and watch Lady and the Tramp after dinner!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Completely gluten free
Made with simple ingredients
Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner
Made with extra-lean ground beef
Kid-friendly and family-approved
A fun way to get children involved in cooking
Ready in about 35 minutes
Inspired by Disney’s Lady and the Tramp

Ingredients

12 ounces Barilla gluten-free spaghetti
1 pound 96% lean ground beef
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 jar marinara sauce, approximately 24 ounces
Fresh parsley for serving, optional
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving, optional

I use Rao’s Roasted Garlic Marinara because it adds plenty of flavor without requiring additional ingredients. However, you can use any gluten-free marinara sauce your family enjoys.

Always check the labels on your pasta, sauce, seasonings, and optional toppings to ensure they meet your individual gluten-free needs.

Helpful Kitchen Tool

A small cookie scoop makes it easy to portion the meatballs so they are approximately the same size. Evenly sized meatballs cook more consistently, and using the scoop is an easy job for kids to help with.

You can find a small cookie scoop on Amazon here.

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How to Make Gluten-Free Spaghetti and Meatballs

1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Place the lean ground beef, garlic powder, salt, and dried parsley in a large bowl. Gently mix everything together with clean hands until the seasonings are evenly distributed.

Avoid overmixing the beef because this can make the meatballs firm instead of tender.

2. Shape the Meatballs

Use a small cookie scoop to portion the meat mixture. Gently roll each portion between your hands to form a ball.

This is a great step for the kids! An adult can portion the meat with the scoop, and the kids can help roll each scoop into a meatball.

Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.

3. Bake the Meatballs

Bake the meatballs for approximately 12–16 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

The precise cooking time will depend on the size of your meatballs. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure the ground beef is fully cooked.

4. Cook the Gluten Free Spaghetti

While the meatballs bake, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the Barilla gluten-free spaghetti and cook according to the package directions.

Stir the noodles frequently—especially during the first few minutes—to help prevent the gluten-free pasta from sticking together.

Drain the spaghetti as soon as it is cooked. Do not rinse it unless the package specifically instructs you to do so.

5. Warm the Marinara

Pour the marinara sauce into a large skillet or saucepan and warm it over medium-low heat.

Transfer the cooked meatballs to the marinara sauce and gently stir until they are coated. Allow them to simmer in the sauce for approximately 3–5 minutes.

6. Assemble and Serve

Add the drained spaghetti to the marinara and gently toss until coated, or divide the spaghetti among individual plates and spoon the meatballs and sauce over the top.

Garnish with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your Disney-inspired family dinner!

Tips for Cooking with Kids

Making meatballs is one of the easiest ways to invite children into the kitchen. Depending on their ages, kids can help:

Measure the seasonings
Add ingredients to the mixing bowl
Mix the meatball ingredients
Portion the mixture with a cookie scoop
Roll the meatballs
Arrange them on the baking sheet
Sprinkle parsley or Parmesan over the finished dish
Set the table for your Lady and the Tramp dinner

Remember to wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling raw ground beef. Adults should manage the hot oven, boiling water, and meat thermometer.

How to Keep Gluten Free Spaghetti from Sticking

Gluten-free spaghetti can become sticky if it sits for too long. For the best texture:

Use a large pot with plenty of water.
Wait until the water reaches a full boil before adding the pasta.
Stir frequently during the first few minutes.
Cook only until the noodles are al dente.
Drain the spaghetti promptly.
Toss it with the warm marinara sauce soon after draining.

Recipe Variations

Use a different sauce: Rao’s Roasted Garlic Marinara is my favorite for this recipe, but your preferred gluten-free tomato sauce will also work.

Add Italian seasoning: For a more herb-forward flavor, add ½ teaspoon of gluten-free Italian seasoning to the meatballs.

Make smaller meatballs: Mini meatballs are fun for younger children and cook more quickly. Be sure to check them early.

Make it dairy-free: The main recipe is naturally dairy-free when made with a dairy-free marinara. Skip the Parmesan or use your favorite dairy-free alternative.

Add vegetables: Stir sautéed mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini into the marinara for additional vegetables.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover spaghetti and meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave until completely warmed through. You may want to add an extra spoonful of marinara before reheating because gluten-free noodles can absorb some of the sauce while refrigerated.

The cooked meatballs and sauce can also be frozen separately from the pasta for up to three months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

More Disney-Inspired Gluten-Free Recipes

If your family loves adding a little magic to mealtime, explore my collection of Disney-inspired gluten-free recipes. You’ll find easy dinners, whimsical desserts, movie-night snacks, and other family-friendly recipes inspired by favorite Disney characters and stories.