Keto Meatballs [Italian Style Recipe] 🧆

Introducing our Keto Meatballs — a mouth-watering Italian meatball recipe that's low on carbs, delicious, and really easy to make. It's the complete package! 

Do yourself a favor and learn how to make this delicious keto dinner with us now!

Preparation and cooking overview

Preparing these Low Carb Meatballs is a breeze — you'll have them ready in just 1 hour and 15 minutes! Simply combine all the ingredients (except the sauce) in a large bowl. Shape the meatballs and simmer them in a Dutch oven with your marinara sauce. After approximately 40 minutes, remove the meatballs, add a layer of cheese on top, and serve!

Chef's note

For an extra crispy texture, consider using crushed pork rinds as an alternative to almond flour. It's a fantastic low-carb option that adds a delightful crunch to the dish. Not only does it provide a satisfying texture, but it also enhances the overall flavor profile

🧆 Ingredients for this keto meatballs recipe

🍅 Ingredients for the homemade keto marinara sauce

Ingredient substitutions

Don't worry if you don't have all the ingredients for this recipe; use these substitutes instead:

Additional ingredients

Customize your dish with these optional ingredients:

Cooking tools required

To make this Keto Meatballs recipe, you need the following tools:

Tools substitute options

How to make Keto Meatballs: step-by-step guide

Cooking methods

Preparation steps

1. Begin by gathering all the ingredients listed in the recipe.
2. Take the ground beef out of the packaging and place it in a bowl or on a clean cutting board.
3. Peel the fresh garlic cloves and mince them finely.
4. Proceed to peel the onion and dice it into small pieces.
5. Wash the fresh parsley and finely mince it.
6. If the parmesan cheese isn't already grated, grate it now. Divide the grated cheese into two portions — one for mixing into the meatballs and the other for topping.
7. If you're choosing to make homemade marinara sauce, make sure you have the ingredients listed under "Homemade keto marinara sauce" ready.
8. Measure the required quantities of olive oil, almond flour, heavy cream, sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and Italian seasoning.

Cooking instructions

1. Combine the beef, eggs, cream, almond flour, spices, fresh garlic, onion, and ½ cup of parmesan in a large bowl. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
2. Form the mixture into meatballs, shaping them to your desired size.
3. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven, preferably a 5-quart or larger, over medium heat.
4. Carefully place the meatballs in the hot oil and sear them for approximately 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned.
5. Once the meatballs are seared, add the marinara sauce to the Dutch oven.
6. Bring the sauce to a low simmer, cover the Dutch oven, and let it continue cooking for about 30-45 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the meatballs to cook through.
7. When ready to serve, top the meatballs with ¼ cup of parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Homemade marinara cooking instructions

1. Heat the oil in the Dutch oven over medium heat until it is adequately heated.
2. Add the minced garlic to the hot oil and cook it for about one minute, allowing it to become fragrant.
3. Stir in the Italian seasoning and onion powder, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
4. Add salt to taste, adjusting the quantity according to your preference.
5. Once all the ingredients are combined and seasoned, carefully remove the mixture from the Dutch oven and set it aside for later use in the recipe.

Chef's pro tip

To prevent dense and tough meatballs, pay attention to the mixing process. Mix the ingredients until evenly combined and well incorporated, but avoid over-mixing. This ensures the meatballs remain flavorful and tender.

What to serve with keto Italian meatballs?

How to make it healthier

Here are a couple of tweaks you can consider:

Time-saving tips

What can I prepare ahead of time?

Storage and reheating instructions

Storage tips

Note: Don't freeze the meatballs, as their texture gets ruined upon thawing. 

Reheating best practices

Note: Don't reheat the meatballs multiple times, as doing so will ruin their texture and flavor. 

Recipe wrap-up and conclusion

And there you have it, our delightful and satisfying Keto Meatballs are ready to go! These low-carb wonders are packed with flavor, simmered in saucy marinara goodness, and guaranteed to become a staple on your dinner table. 

So gather your family and friends and flaunt your cooking skills with these exceptional meatballs. And don't forget to share a picture of your plate with us on Facebook and Instagram! We can't wait to see how this turns out for you.

Frequently asked questions

Check out these other low-carb Meatball recipes:

📖 Recipe

Keto Meatballs

These Keto Meatballs are simmered in a low-carb marianara sauce creating the perfect comfort food meal.

4.80 from 5 votes

Print Rate Pin Recipe

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: italian meatballs, low carb meatballs

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 444kcal

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef or a beef substitute like Beyond Meat
• 2 large eggs or chia eggs for plant-based
• ¼ cup heavy cream or plain unsweetened almond milk
• ¼ cup almond flour
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• ½ cup diced onion
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley minced
• ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese divided (½ cup in meatballs, ¼ cup as topping) or a vegan substitute such as Violife Parmesan
• 1 28-oz jar marinara sauce, without added sugar OR the recipe below

Homemade Keto Marinara Sauce:

• 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• Sea salt to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• In a large bowl, combine the beef, eggs, cream, almond flour, spices, fresh garlic, onion, and ½ cup of parmesan. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
• Form the mixture into meatballs, shaping them to your desired size.
• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven, preferably a 5-quart or larger, over medium heat.
• Carefully place the meatballs in the hot oil and sear them for approximately 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned.
• Once the meatballs are seared, add the marinara sauce to the Dutch oven.
• Bring the sauce to a low simmer, cover the Dutch oven, and let it continue cooking for about 30-45 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the meatballs to cook through.
• When ready to serve, top the meatballs with ¼ cup of parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Homemade Marinara (optional)

• Heat the oil in the Dutch oven over medium heat until it is adequately heated.
• Add the minced garlic to the hot oil and cook it for about one minute, allowing it to become fragrant.
• Stir in the Italian seasoning and onion powder, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
• Add salt to taste, adjusting the quantity according to your preference.
• Once all the ingredients are combined and seasoned, carefully remove the mixture from the Dutch oven and set it aside for later use in the recipe.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Keto Meatballs

Amount Per Serving

Calories 444 Calories from Fat 315

% Daily Value*

Fat 35g54%

Saturated Fat 12g75%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 16g

Cholesterol 128mg43%

Sodium 477mg21%

Potassium 623mg18%

Carbohydrates 11g4%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 22g44%

Vitamin A 1567IU31%

Vitamin C 22mg27%

Calcium 238mg24%

Iron 3mg17%

*

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

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