Nothing says comfort food like meatballs in tomato sauce, but most store bought sauces are loaded with sugar that’ll spike your insulin faster than you can say “mamma mia.” These Italian Keto Meatballs mix beef and pork for the juiciest, most flavour packed bites, all smothered in a rich, garlicky low carb tomato sauce. Perfect over my Zucchini Noodles recipe for the ultimate keto pasta night.
🍽 Servings: 4
⏱ Prep Time: 15 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: 25 minutes
🛒 What You’ll Need
For the Meatballs:
- 330g beef mince
- 170g pork mince
- 1 large egg
- 40g grated parmesan
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 400g can crushed tomatoes (no added sugar)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp chilli flakes (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, to garnish
👩🍳 Method
Step 1: In a bowl, combine the beef, pork, egg, parmesan, garlic, parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined, overmixing can toughen the meatballs.
Step 2: Roll into about 16 small meatballs.
Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Fry meatballs in batches until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: In the same pan, add the remaining olive oil, onion, and garlic. Sauté until soft and fragrant.
Step 5: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, chilli flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 6: Return the meatballs to the pan, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes until cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
Step 7: Garnish with fresh basil and serve over Zucchini Noodles.
💡 Tips from the Keto Kitchen
- Browning the meatballs first adds depth of flavour to the sauce.
- You can bake the meatballs at 200°C for 15–18 minutes if you prefer less frying.
- Sprinkle some parmesan or mozzarella on top for an indulgent finish.
- Double the batch and freeze half for quick weeknight dinners.
- If you prefer a creamy sauce add a splash of cream to your sauce and blend with an immersion blender.
🧮 Macros (per serving, estimated)
Calories: 400 kcal
Fat: 28g
Protein: 33g
Net Carbs: 3g
🍝 Why You’ll Love These Keto Meatballs
- Comfort food without the sugar spike
- Juicy meatballs thanks to the beef & pork mix
- Perfect for family dinners or a quick weeknight keto meal
- Pairs perfectly with zucchini noodles for a pasta night vibe
💬 Have you made this recipe?
Tag me @kimsketo365 on Instagram. I love seeing your creations and sharing them with the community.
👉 Looking for more low carb pasta ideas?
Try my Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo recipe next.
