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Authentic Keto Italian Meatball Recipe🍝

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Have you got a hankering for Italian food? Say hello to our irresistible Keto Italian Meatball Recipe - the perfect dish for foodies on a keto diet. This recipe is a keto adaptation of an authentic Italian meatball recipe! We made tender and juicy low-carb meatballs without any breadcrumbs or flour. Let's crank up the heat and get cooking!

Freshly prepared keto meatballs on a plate.
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Preparation and cooking overview

These low-carb Italian meatballs are incredibly easy to prepare! Mix ground meat with seasonings, shape into meatballs, pan-fry until browned, then simmer in sweet-tangy tomato sauce. In just 15 minutes, you'll have a tasty meal ready to wow your family or guests.

Chef's note

Add a handful of fresh basil leaves to the tomato sauce for a flavorful twist. And don't forget to serve these keto meatballs with a side of zucchini noodles or on a bed of cauliflower rice for a complete and satisfying low-carb meal.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 Minutes
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 6 Servings
Close up of an Italian meatball recipe served on a plate.

🍝Ingredients for this Italian meatball recipe

For the meatballs

  • ½ pound ground beef
  • ½ pound ground pork
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • ½ cup keto bread crumbs
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

For the keto marinara sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound low-carb tomato sauce
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Old school Italian meatballs recipe on a plate served with sliced tomatoes.

Ingredient substitutions

  • Parmesan: You can use nutritional yeast if you want a keto-friendly substitute for parmesan cheese.
  • Keto breadcrumbs: If you don't have keto bread crumbs, replace them with an equal amount of almond or coconut flour.

Additional ingredients

For the meatballs

  • Fresh herbs: Add finely chopped fresh herbs to brighten your meatballs.
  • Red pepper flakes: If you like things spicy, add some crushed red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
  • Worcestershire sauce: Add a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce for the umami flavor in your meatballs.
  • Cheese: You can add mozzarella cheese and grated parmesan for the cheesy flavor.
Homemade keto meatballs made from ground pork and beef.

For the keto marinara sauce

  • Fresh basil: Add fresh basil towards the end of cooking for an extra flavorful aroma.
  • Bay leaf: Add a bay leaf while the sauce is simmering for depth of flavors. The bay leaf releases aromatic oils that infuse into the sauce, imparting a mild earthy and slightly floral taste.

Cooking tools required

To make this Italian Meatball Recipe, we need the following tools:

  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Large cast iron skillet
  • Frying pan
  • Plate
Low carb meatballs on a plate.

Tools substitute options

  • Use a deep pan if you don't have a cast iron skillet.

How to make Italian Meatball Recipe: step-by-step guide

Cooking methods

  • Pan-frying
  • Sautéing

Preparation steps

  1. Gather and measure all the ingredients.
  2. Finely chop the small onion and mince the cloves of garlic.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the meatball ingredients and mix thoroughly with your hands until well combined.
  4. Shape the meat mixture into evenly sized meatballs, roll them between your palms, and place them aside.
Ground beef, ground pork, egg, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, finely grated parmesan cheese, keto bread crumbs, salt, and pepper mixed in a large bowl.
Ground beef and pork mixed with the ingredients to make meat dough.

Cooking instructions

For Italian keto meatballs

  1. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat, then add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and cook the meatballs for 5-6 minutes, frequently turning, until browned but not fully cooked.
  2. Transfer them to a plate.
Frying the meat balls.

For the sauce

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
  2. Cook onions and garlic for 2 minutes until fragrant. After that, add the remaining ingredients for the sauce and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and let it simmer.
Preparation of sauce in a cast iron dish.

For meatballs with sauce

  1. Add the meatballs to the saucepan and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally. Once cooked, remove them from the heat, cover, and set aside.
  2. Sprinkle some fresh herbs like basil or parsley on top. Enjoy!
Cooking the meat balls in sauce.

Chef's pro tip

When cooking these meatballs, avoid overcooking them. Cook them until they are just cooked through.  Press them with a spatula or fork while cooking to keep them nice and juicy. You can also use a handy meat thermometer to check if they have reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

What to serve with Italian Meatball Recipe?

You can enjoy this classic Italian meatball recipe with the following dishes:

  • Zucchini noodles: They are a keto take on regular noodles, and you can prepare them by spirally peeling the zucchini, followed by sauteing or steaming. These veggie noodles go great with our recipe!
  • Creamy cauliflower mash: Steam cauliflower florets until soft, then blend in a food processor with butter, cream cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper until the texture is smooth.
  • Roasted Brussels sprouts: Toss Brussels sprouts in olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast in the oven at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes or until they're crispy and slightly caramelized. You can also try our Charred Brussels Sprouts!
Authentic keto Italian meatballs recipe served on a plate along with sliced tomatoes.

How to make it healthier?

  • Reduce fat: Use leaner cuts of meat like lean ground beef or turkey to reduce the fat in the recipe.
  • Lower the sodium: Use less salt or a salt substitute to lower the sodium in the dish.

Time-saving tips

  • Opt for pre-cut onions and pre-minced garlic available at grocery stores. 
  • You can use store-bought low-carb tomato sauce as well.
  • Prepare a double batch and freeze the extra portion for later use. This way, you get a quick and delicious meal when you are short on time.
Italian meatballs recipe on a plate featuring greens and tomatoes.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

  • Mix the ingredients for the meatballs and form them into the desired shape ahead of time. Refrigerate them until you cook them.
  • Make the tomato sauce in advance and refrigerate it.

Storage and reheating instructions

Storage tips

  • Refrigerator: Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and store them for up to 3-4 days.
  • Freezer: Transfer the leftovers to a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Just remember to thaw the frozen meatballs overnight in the refrigerator before you reheat them.
Authentic meatballs recipe.

Reheating tips

  • Stovetop: Place the leftovers in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Stir occasionally for about 5-7 minutes or until heated.
  • Microwave: Place the leftovers in a microwave-safe dish and cover them with a lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap. Heat on high settings for 1-2 minutes, then stir and continue heating in 30-second intervals until heated through.
  • Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the leftovers in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

Recipe wrap-up and conclusion

Keto Italian Meatball Recipe is a family-friendly meal that you can make in batches and include in your meal prep plan. The most important thing is that these juicy meatballs are healthy, packed with protein, and have a real meatball texture, even without breadcrumbs! Share this recipe with your family and friends and spread the joy of cooking.

Italian meatballs recipe served on a plate.

Frequently asked questions

To keep your meatballs from becoming dry and tough, ensure you don't overcook them. You should only cook them until they are firm to the touch and have no pink color in the center.

Greasy meatballs often result from using high-fat meat. Opt for leaner meat or blot the excess grease off your meatballs using paper towels.

If your meatballs are sticking to the pan, make sure you grease the pan well or use a non-stick pan. Adding a splash of oil or cooking spray to the pan also helps.

Your meatballs might disintegrate during cooking if they lack sufficient binders. Consider adding additional binders such as keto breadcrumbs or an egg to your meatball mixture.

Yes! Allowing your meatballs to rest for a few minutes post-cooking helps the juices redistribute within them, resulting in a more succulent and flavorful meatball.

Absolutely! You can make the meatball mixture ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld together nicely. However, add the keto breadcrumbs later on, as soon as you're ready to cook the meatballs.

📖 Recipe

Keto Italian meatball recipe.

Italian Meatball Recipe

A keto twist on traditional Italian meatballs. These meatballs are juicy, tempting and full of flavors.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: easy, italian meatballs, keto meatballs, low carb
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 318kcal

Ingredients

For the meatballs

  • ½ pound ground beef
  • ½ pound ground pork
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese finely grated
  • ½ cup keto bread crumbs
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

For the keto marinara sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pound low-carb tomato sauce
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

For Italian keto meatballs

  • Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat, then add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and cook the meatballs for 5-6 minutes, frequently turning, until browned but not fully cooked.
  • Transfer them to a plate.

For the sauce

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
  • Cook onions and garlic for 2 minutes until fragrant. After that, add the remaining ingredients for the sauce and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and let it simmer.

For meatballs with sauce

  • Add the meatballs to the saucepan and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally. Once cooked, remove them from the heat, cover, and set aside.
  • Sprinkle some fresh herbs like basil or parsley on top. Enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Italian Meatball Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 318 Calories from Fat 189
% Daily Value*
Fat 21g32%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Trans Fat 0.5g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 10g
Cholesterol 87mg29%
Sodium 976mg42%
Potassium 538mg15%
Carbohydrates 13g4%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 19g38%
Vitamin A 451IU9%
Vitamin C 9mg11%
Calcium 162mg16%
Iron 3mg17%
*

Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.

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