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While it seems traditional meatballs should fit right into a ketogenic diet, a typical Italian meatball recipe can have up to 20 grams of net carbs in just one serving! What gives?
Most homemade meatballs call for bread crumbs and use a pasta sauce that’s high in sugar. But that doesn’t mean juicy meatballs are off the menu on your low carb diet. You can make keto-friendly Italian meatballs for dinner tonight by mixing up some ground beef, a few spices, and a low carb tomato sauce.
Before we chat about how to make low carb meatballs, I wanted to let you know this blog contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission if you click through. I also link to the same resources I used to lose 100 pounds with a low carb lifestyle. Hopefully this info helps you too!
Ingredients for Easy Keto Meatballs
The ingredients for the meat mixture include ground beef, almond flour, minced garlic, and spices like parsley, black pepper, oregano, onion flakes, and salt.
When it comes to the best keto meatballs, using a high quality grass-fed beef is your best bet. This version of ground meat contains more nutrients, not to mention fewer toxins, then conventional meat. This makes a big difference when it comes to getting better long term results on a keto diet.
If it’s hard to source grass-fed beef at local grocery stores, check out Butcher Box. They deliver high quality meats to your doorstep each month. It’s convenient and using high quality meat is the best way to improve your health.
Also, if you choose ground turkey for this low carb meatball recipe, please understand that will lower the fat content. It’s important to eat enough fat to get into ketosis – which makes a higher fat ground beef a better option. If you gravitate towards lower fat options, this could signal your digestion needs improvement.
While I don’t have time to get into all of the specifics in this blog, properly functioning digestion is vital for long term success on keto. This is especially true when it comes to eating more fat without digestive symptoms like nausea, loose stools, diarrhea, acne, itchy skin and more. If any of these symptoms occur when you attempt to eat more fat on keto, this free keto digestion course is a must!
The other ingredients that make up this easy recipe are a low carb marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. You could also serve the meal with add-ins like parmesan cheese or zucchini noodles. I eat these delicious meatballs as is – so it all comes down to your preference.
How to Make the Best Keto Meatballs
Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Then spray a baking dish with a nonstick spray and set aside. This next part gets a little messy, so grab a few paper towels and prepare to dig in!
Add the ground beef, almond flour, minced garlic, parsley and all other spices into a large mixing bowl. Combine all of the ingredients together with your hands. Mix well.
Once combined, form meatballs into 2 inch balls with your hands. You could also use a cookie scoop, but your hands are already a mess – so what’s the difference at this point, right?
Stack the meatballs on a tray and set aside. Then, heat coconut oil in a large skillet. Only use enough coconut oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Using too much oil could create a sizzling mess, so don’t overdo it.
Fry the meatballs in the coconut oil until they are lightly browned. This should take approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Once browned on all sides, place meatballs into the greased baking dish. Add them closely together in a single layer.
Next, pour half of the keto marinara sauce over the meatballs. Layer the mozzarella cheese on top and bake in the oven until the cheese is melted. This should take 15-20 minutes. Heat the remaining marinara sauce in a small saucepan.
Once the cheese is melted and the meatballs are fully cooked in the center, garnish with leftover parsley and serve. Use the leftover marinara as a dipping sauce.
The Low Carb Keto Meatball Recipe Wrap Up
The best part of these tasty keto meatballs is this is a keto recipe your whole family will love! It’s a big hit with even my 5 year old!
If you’re craving these juicy keto meatballs, but you need dinner on the table fast – you can always meal prep the meatballs a couple of hours ahead of time. Roll the meatballs together, cover and let them sit in the fridge until you’re ready to pan fry them. Staying prepared like this is a good way to get consistent results on a ketogenic diet.
Don’t forget to save this low carb keto meatballs recipe to your easy ground beef meals on Pinterest. If you love this new recipe, please share the healthy fat love on your favorite social media platform.
Keep scrolling for more low-carb recipes, nutritional information and the recipe card.
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Keto Meatballs
More Easy Keto Recipes from Eating Fat is the New Skinny
Sweet and Spicy Spaghetti Sauce
Garlic Basil Chicken
Sausage Crust Pizza
Keto Meatballs
Missing spaghetti and meatballs on keto? These keto meatballs will hit the spot!
- Author: Nissa
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 5 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Frying and Baking
- Cuisine: Keto
- Diet: Diabetic
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound 80% ground beef
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
½ cup almond flour
2–3 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tsp onion flakes
½ tsp oregano
2–3 tbsp coconut oil
4 oz mozzarella cheese
1 jar marinara sauce
Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Spray baking dish with nonstick spray.
Add ground beef, parsley, almond flour, minced garlic, salt, pepper, onion flakes, and oregano into the mixing bowl. Mix ingredients with hands.
Form meatballs into 2 inch balls with hands.
Heat coconut oil in a large skillet on high heat.
Fry meatballs in coconut oil until lightly browned, 2-3 minutes per side.
Add meatballs into the greased baking dish.
Pour half marinara sauce over meatballs
Layer mozzarella cheese on top.
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes.
Garnish with extra parsley.
Heat remaining marinara sauce to dip meatballs into.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 432.5
- Sugar: .7
- Sodium: 692.6
- Fat: 36.3
- Saturated Fat: 16.4
- Carbohydrates: 3.2
- Fiber: 1.4
- Protein: 23.3
Keywords: Keto Lunch, Keto Meal, Low Carb Meal, Low Carb Lunch
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