Looking for more keto ground beef recipes? Try keto meatloaf, keto lasagna, and keto chili. I love a quick and easy keto dinner, and nothing tastes as good as juicy, saucy, Italian meatballs. Traditional meatballs are usually bound with bread crumbs, which makes them unsuitable for a keto diet. Luckily, with a few smart swaps, my keto meatballs will rival any Italian Nonna!
Why I love this recipe
The best texture. This keto meatball recipe is better than any meatball out there because they are extra soft and juicy. Even those who don’t follow a keto diet consider this their go-to meatballs! It’s easy to prepare. No hard-to-find ingredients are needed, and you probably have everything in your refrigerator and pantry right now. Ready in 20 minutes. From prep to plate, this entire dish takes barely any time. Versatile. Enjoy it over your favorite low-carb pasta, zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or simply over steamed vegetables.
Ingredients needed
Ground beef. Use 80/20 ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat). Every good meatball needs a little fat, which helps it from drying out and keeps it extra juicy. Ground pork. Pork is traditionally a little fattier than other meats, and swapping out half the beef with pork will yield extra juicy meatballs. If you don’t want to use pork, double the ground beef. Egg. To bind everything together. Onion. Finely chopped. Garlic. Freshly minced garlic, skip the jarred variety! Parmesan cheese. You must use freshly grated or refrigerated parmesan cheese. Avoid using the shelf-stamp kind, as it is super-processed and will not hold its shape in the meatballs. Breadcrumb substitute. There are several options, including crushed-up pork rinds or homemade keto breadcrumbs. Kosher salt and black pepper. To taste.
For the marinara sauce I made a simple from scratch sauce. Alternatively, you can skip the marinara sauce and use homemade keto spaghetti sauce, pomodoro sauce, or sugo (two kinds of Italian tomato sauce that are also both low carb!).
Olive oil. A good quality olive oil makes all the difference and is a must for Italian-style meatballs. Onions and garlic. Finely chopped to add extra flavor. Tomato sauce. Also referred to as passata or unsweetened pasta sauce. This is NOT tomato ketchup! Italian seasonings. It is a must for any good meatball recipe. You can swap this out for some fresh parsley and fresh basil instead. Salt and pepper. To taste.
How to make keto meatballs
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Step 1- Make the meatballs. Start by mixing all the meatball ingredients together, then shape them into small bite-sized balls. Step 2- Cook the meatballs. Next, place olive oil into a non-stick pan and place over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs and cook until no longer brown. Remove the meatballs from the pan. Step 3- Make the marinara sauce. Now, prepare the marinara sauce. Add the onions and garlic and cook for 2 minutes before adding the remaining ingredients and simmer for 10 minutes to thicken. Step 4- Combine. Finally, add the meatballs back to the marinara sauce mixture and cook for 8-10 minutes, regularly turning. Remove the meatballs from the heat and serve immediately over your favorite keto pasta or keto gnocchi.
Recipe tips and variations
Do not overbake the meatballs because, let’s face it—no one wants rubbery meatballs here. To ensure this does not happen, always use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature. Fully cooked beef should reach 165F. When making the meatball mixture, avoid overmixing. Like cake batter, the more you mix, the tougher they will be. Swap out the ground meat for Italian sausage, ground pork, ground chicken, or ground turkey. For cheesy meatballs, fold through some freshly grated mozzarella cheese or parmesan cheese. Instead of a red sauce, these meatballs taste incredible with a keto alfredo sauce or a keto cheese sauce.
How to store leftovers
To store: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To freeze: Place low carb meatballs in a shallow container and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw the meatballs before reheating. Reheating: Either microwave the meatballs for 1-2 minutes or reheat in a non-stick pan until warm and the sauce is bubbling.
More cozy keto dinners
Keto cheeseburger casserole– All the best parts of a cheeseburger, minus the carbs. Keto taco casserole– My family LOVES this for a comforting dinner. Keto stuffed peppers– Easy to customize and so fast. Crustless pizza– All the best parts of a pizza, baked in one dish.
