Print

Keto Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

Keto Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce
Print Recipe

Keto Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce is a comforting and low-carb Italian dish featuring savory meatballs made from a blend of ground beef and pork, almond flour as a breadcrumb substitute, fresh herbs, and a rich homemade marinara sauce. Perfect for keto and low-carb diets, this recipe is easy to prepare, family-friendly, and ideal as a main course or appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 lb ground pork
  • 1/4 cup almond flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (dried basil, oregano, thyme mix)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Marinara Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes (no added sugar)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves, torn, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef and pork, almond flour, beaten eggs, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, finely chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until evenly combined without overworking the meat.
  2. Form the Meatballs: Using your hands or a small scoop, shape the mixture into uniform meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter. This size helps them cook evenly and stay juicy.
  3. Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches to avoid crowding and cook until browned on all sides, about 4-5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  4. Make the Marinara Sauce: In the same skillet, add more olive oil if needed, then sauté finely chopped onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent. Pour in crushed tomatoes, season with salt, pepper, and more Italian seasoning if desired, and simmer for 10 minutes to develop a rich flavor.
  5. Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes to cook through and allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
  6. Finish and Serve: Tear fresh basil leaves and stir them into the sauce right before serving to add a burst of aromatic freshness. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

  • Don’t overmix the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender and soft.
  • Keep meatballs uniform in size (about 1.5 inches) for even cooking.
  • Browning the meatballs adds depth of flavor beyond simmering alone.
  • Simmer sauce gently on low heat to avoid drying out the meatballs.
  • Add fresh herbs like basil and parsley at the end to preserve their bright flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: keto meatballs, italian meatballs, low-carb dinner, marinara sauce, keto italian recipe, gluten free italian

Find it online: https://elenaglam.com/keto-italian-meatballs-with-marinara-sauce/