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Keto Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

Keto Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

Keto Italian Meatballs with Marinara Sauce is a low-carb, hearty, and flavorful dinner featuring juicy ground beef meatballs simmered in a rich homemade marinara sauce made from San Marzano tomatoes. This recipe is easy to prepare in under 40 minutes, uses simple pantry staples, and delivers classic Italian flavors while adhering to ketogenic diet guidelines.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 mix)
  • 1/4 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, parsley blend)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Marinara Sauce

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder if preferred)
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed San Marzano tomatoes
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, parsley blend)

Garnish (Optional)

  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Extra virgin olive oil drizzle

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, almond flour, grated parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Use your hands gently to mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed, being careful not to overwork the meat to maintain tenderness.
  2. Shape the Meatballs: Using your hands or a small ice cream scoop, form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. This size ensures even cooking and juiciness.
  3. Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, cooking until all sides are browned but the centers remain slightly undercooked, about 4-5 minutes total. Remove meatballs from skillet and set aside.
  4. Make the Marinara Sauce: In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed, then sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Pour in crushed San Marzano tomatoes, season with salt, pepper, and extra dried Italian herbs. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  5. Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the marinara sauce. Cover and simmer gently for 15 minutes to cook the meatballs thoroughly and infuse them with sauce flavor.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Finish with fresh basil leaves and optional sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese or drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve hot as a delicious low-carb Italian meal.

Notes

  • Keep meatballs tender by avoiding overmixing the meat mixture.
  • Using fresh herbs whenever possible enhances flavor more than dried ones.
  • Don’t skip browning the meatballs first to add texture and deep flavor.
  • Simmer the sauce gently to prevent drying out the meatballs.
  • Cook a small test meatball before shaping the whole batch to adjust seasoning if needed.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Pan-frying and Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Gluten Free, Keto

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 meatballs with sauce)
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 550mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg

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