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Keto Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

Keto Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

A quick, low-carb Keto Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce recipe featuring juicy meatballs infused with Italian herbs and topped with a rich, homemade keto-friendly marinara sauce. Perfect for a comforting, gluten-free dinner that fits a ketogenic lifestyle and delights the whole family.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef or pork (80/20 for best results)
  • 1/4 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Cooking Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil (for browning)
  • 2 cups low-carb marinara sauce (sugar-free or homemade)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef or pork, almond flour, grated Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chopped fresh parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently using your hands or a spoon until well incorporated, being careful not to overmix to keep the meatballs tender.
  2. Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter to ensure even cooking. Place them on a lined baking sheet or plate as you go.
  3. Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches, avoiding overcrowding, and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crusty to lock in flavor and texture.
  4. Simmer in Marinara Sauce: Transfer browned meatballs to a saucepan with warmed low-carb marinara sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and meatballs to cook completely through.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Remove from heat, garnish if desired with fresh herbs or extra Parmesan, and serve hot. Pair with favorite keto-friendly sides like zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the meatball mixture to avoid dense meatballs.
  • Use a cookie scoop or measuring spoon for uniform meatballs for consistent cooking.
  • Let the meatball mixture rest for 10 minutes before cooking to allow almond flour to absorb moisture.
  • Choose quality meat with about 20% fat content for juicy meatballs.
  • Simmer marinara sauce on low heat to prevent drying out the meatballs.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Pan Frying and Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Gluten Free, Keto

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 meatballs with sauce
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: Keto meatballs, low carb italian meatballs, gluten free meatballs, keto dinner, italian keto recipe, low carb marinara, ketogenic meatballs