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Keto Meatballs with Pizza Sauce and Melty Cheese Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 81 reviews
  • Author: Lila
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings (approx. 4 ounces of meat per serving) 1x
  • Diet: Low Carb, Keto

Description

These Keto Meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and perfect for anyone following a low-carb or ketogenic diet. Made with a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage, seasoned with Parmesan cheese and spices, then finished with a rich tomato sauce and melted cheeses baked to golden perfection in the oven. They deliver a satisfying hearty meal without the carbs found in traditional meatball recipes.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 16 ounces ground beef (85/15 fat ratio)
  • 16 ounces Italian sausage (ground)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Sauce and Topping

  • 14 ounces pizza sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the meatballs.
  2. Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground Italian sausage, eggs, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  3. Shape Meatballs: Using your hands, roll the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, aiming for about 4 ounces per serving to ensure consistent cooking and portion sizes.
  4. Sear Meatballs: Heat a bit of oil in a pan over high heat. Sear the meatballs on each side just enough to brown them slightly. Avoid crowding the pan to ensure proper searing. This step imparts extra flavor and texture but does not fully cook the meatballs.
  5. Prepare Sauce: Remove the seared meatballs from the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Add the tomato paste to the pan and cook for about 10 seconds to deepen its flavor. Then pour in the pizza sauce and stir to combine.
  6. Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return the meatballs to the pan with the sauce, coating them well. Turn off the heat once the meatballs are fully covered and sauced.
  7. Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the tops of the meatballs. Transfer the pan (or move meatballs and sauce to an oven-safe dish) to the preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is browned and bubbly, and meatballs are cooked through.

Notes

  • Use high-fat ground beef and sausage for better flavor and moisture, which is ideal in keto recipes.
  • Do not skip searing; it locks in meat juices and adds flavor.
  • The baking time can vary if meatballs are larger or smaller; check for an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for safety.
  • Serve meatballs with zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or a side salad for a complete keto-friendly meal.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3-4 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Keto meatballs, low carb meatballs, baked meatballs, Italian sausage meatballs, keto dinner, keto main course

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Find it online: https://plumandpan.com/keto-meatballs-with-pizza-sauce-and-melty-cheese-recipe/