December weeknights fill up fast. Between shopping, wrapping, school programs, and holiday parties, dinner is usually the first thing that gets pushed aside, and it's easy to end up grabbing takeout that isn't safe for anyone eating gluten free. This menu fixes that with one cozy, festive dinner that mostly cooks itself.
The slow cooker handles the cranberry meatballs while you're busy, the potatoes and green beans share one oven, and the ginger cookies can be baked over the weekend. Everything below is gluten free, and the free printable grocery list puts every ingredient for the whole meal on one page, so you only need one trip to the store.
The Menu
This menu serves 6. The meatball recipe makes about 2 pounds, so double it if you're feeding a bigger crowd.
- Main: Gluten Free Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
- Side: Crispy Garlic and Rosemary Smashed Potatoes
- Vegetable: Oven Roasted Parmesan Green Beans
- Dessert: Gluten Free Ginger Cookies
- Drink: Non Alcoholic Spiced Apple Fizz (make the recipe 3 times for 6 glasses)
Shortcut night option: skip the smashed potatoes and spoon the meatballs over buttered gluten free pasta.
Gluten Free Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
The main event. These sweet and tangy meatballs simmer in the slow cooker all afternoon, so dinner is mostly done before you walk back in the door.
Crispy Garlic and Rosemary Smashed Potatoes
Cook the potatoes the night before, then smash and roast them for golden, crispy edges with tender centers. They're perfect for spooning extra cranberry sauce over.
Oven Roasted Parmesan Green Beans
A simple vegetable side that roasts in 25 minutes while the potatoes rest. The parmesan bakes into a cheesy, crispy coating even picky eaters love.
Gluten Free Ginger Cookies
Soft, chewy, and full of warm molasses and ginger flavor. Bake them over the weekend so dessert is ready and waiting on dinner night.
Non Alcoholic Spiced Apple Fizz Drink
A festive sparkling drink everyone at the table can enjoy. Make the spiced apple base ahead, then add sparkling water right before serving. Make the recipe 3 times for 6 glasses.
Your Game Plan
Over the weekend
- Bake the ginger cookies and store them airtight (they keep 5 days).
- Simmer the spiced apple base, strain it, and refrigerate (keeps up to a week).
The night before
- Cook the potatoes in the Instant Pot (12-15 minutes, natural release) and refrigerate.
- Mix and roll the meatballs, cover, and refrigerate. Trim, wash, and dry the green beans.
Dinner day
- 2:30 pm: Whisk the sauce, add the meatballs to the slow cooker, and set it on low.
- 5:00 pm: Smash the potatoes, top them, and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
- 5:40 pm: Broil the potatoes until golden, then set them aside and raise the oven to 425 degrees.
- 5:45 pm: Roast the green beans for 25 minutes, flipping halfway.
- 6:10 pm: Pour the fizz over ice with sparkling water and lemon.
- 6:15 pm: Dinner is on the table.
Free Printable Grocery List
Every ingredient for the whole menu fits on one page, sorted by section of the store. Enter your email below and I'll send the printable grocery list straight to your inbox.
Make Ahead and Leftovers
The meatballs freeze in their sauce for up to 3 months, so a double batch gives you a second holiday dinner (or a party appetizer) later in the month. Leftover meatballs keep 4 days in the refrigerator. Leftover smashed potatoes and green beans reheat best in the air fryer to bring back the crispy edges.
What I Used
These are the kitchen tools I reach for to make this menu, plus a few pieces that make a weeknight table feel festive. Tap any item to shop it.
If you make this menu, I'd love to hear how your holiday weeknight dinner turned out. Leave a star rating on each recipe you made, and tag @smallfarmbiglife on Instagram so I can see your table. Grab the free printable grocery list above so you can shop for the whole meal in one trip.
More Gluten Free Christmas Ideas
Leave a Reply