The whole family will love this keto meatball casserole recipe. It’s packed with rich flavors from juicy meatballs, a delectable low carb marinara sauce, melted cheese, and a low-carb count.
Plus, this cheesy meatball casserole is a breeze to get on the dinner table.
So, the next time you want an easy keto dinner recipe with little meal prep for busy nights, this is a clear winner.
Made with basic ingredients that fit into a low-carb lifestyle, these juicy homemade meatballs make a delicious recipe with so much flavor you won’t believe it fits into a keto diet.
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Inspiration Behind this Recipe
Some of my best childhood memories are from the times that my grandma Ellen would come stay with us for a few weeks at a time.
Not only was she the most extraordinary woman I have ever met in my life but she was also an amazing cook.
She spent hours in our kitchen crafting her famous Italian meatballs and homemade pasta sauce which filled our home with a marvelous aroma I will never forget.
I loved sneaking into the kitchen and dipping a piece of garlic bread into the bubbling pot of tomato sauce when she wasn’t looking.
Grandma Ellen’s legacy lives on in every bite of this Cheesy Keto Meatball Casserole.
As I knead the mixture of ground beef with Parmesan cheese and almond flour, I can almost feel her gentle hands guiding mine, passing down her culinary wisdom.
This recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a cherished connection to my past, a way to honor her memory, and a reminder that even a simple recipe can bring the most profound joy.
With every mouthful of these flavorful Italian meatballs, I’m transported back to those precious moments, and I can almost hear her laughter echoing in my kitchen.
Keto Meatball Casserole Ingredients
This keto casserole can be made from common ingredients found at your local grocery store.
- Ground meat- I typically opt for ground venison, yet the choice of meat for your keto meatballs is entirely yours. You have the freedom to select from an array of options, including ground turkey, ground beef, ground pork, or venison – or even create a delightful blend of these meats according to your preference. You can try one the first time you make this recipe and a different one the second time to keep things interesting.
- Almond Flour- I use this ingredient as a replacement for bread crumbs when making low carb meatballs.
- Cheese- I use parmesan cheese, cheese sticks, and then sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.
- Tomato sauce- I usually make tomato sauce from Roma tomatoes but you can use Rao’s sauce or any keto-friendly tomato sauce for this tasty meatball casserole.
- Large Eggs- The egg acts as a binder in this keto friendly recipe.
- Olive oil- You can use olive oil or a non-stick cooking spray, they both serve the same purpose of keeping the meatballs from sticking to the pan.
- Spices- This recipe calls for Italian seasoning, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper. If available, I add a little bit of fresh basil to the meatball ingredients.
How to Make Keto Meatball Casserole
This low carb meatball casserole recipe comes together by combining the meat, beaten egg, parmesan, and half of the seasoning in a large mixing bowl.
Mix everything together in one big batch and then form into balls. I usually make around 20 meatballs so they will cover the bottom of the dish although you can make large meatballs if you prefer but this will change the amount of net carbs per serving.
You can use a small cookie scoop or a meatball master to get perfect circles but I usually do this part with my hands.
Place meatballs in a single layer in a well-oiled frying pan. Cook on medium heat until slightly crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside.
Add the tomato sauce and remaining seasoning on top, to the baking dish.
Once the meatballs are thoroughly cooked, add them to a casserole dish and then top the meatballs with cheese.
I use a combination of cheese sticks and shredded mozzarella cheese for this step. Peeling the sticks takes an additional 2-3 minutes but the chunks are always a big hit with my family when melted in keto recipes, so it’s worth the extra trouble.
Finally, bake the casserole dish in a preheated oven set to 375 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted completely.
Be sure to store any leftovers of this keto meatball recipe in an airtight container or large bowl wrapped with aluminum foil or in a freezer bag for up to 3-4 days.
Be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for a detailed list of ingredients and instructions.
Variations on this Low Carb Meatball Casserole Recipe
If you want to limit the carbs in this recipe so you can increase your serving size without adding more carbs, you can swap out the almond flour for pork rinds.
They have zero carbs which makes them perfect for a low carb lifestyle.
If you aren’t sure of which kind of pork rinds to use for meatball recipes, check out this post sharing a list of the best keto pork rinds.
Add ricotta cheese or cream cheese to add a gooey cheese center to this casserole.
You can use store-bought meatballs or premade keto Swedish meatballs to make easy recipes even easier but be sure to check the carb count.
What to Serve with Keto Meatballs
Serve this meatball casserole with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a keto pasta-like dish.
Elevate the meal further by serving it with a refreshing side salad, offering an additional burst of flavors and nutrients.
Enhance the meal by complementing it with a small bowl of green beans.
A one-cup serving of green beans, according to the USDA provides 7 grams of total carbs, with 4 grams as net carbs – making it a suitable choice for those following a keto diet.
Another great idea is to serve this keto meatball casserole with cabbage. I like to fry cabbage with a little bit of butter in a skillet and then top it with a scoop of this casserole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Freeze Keto Meatballs?
Yes! You can make this keto meatball casserole with frozen meatballs. I like to make a double batch and freeze it so I don’t have to go through all of the steps to make this recipe the next time the craving hits.
Just be sure to fully defrost the meatballs before topping with sauce and cheese.
Are Restaurant Meatballs Keto Friendly?
No. Unfortunately, most restaurant meatballs are not keto-friendly since a common ingredient in most restaurant meatballs is breadcrumbs.
Be sure to check the nutritional information on your meals when visiting restaurants to make sure they will fit into your keto diet.
More Keto Recipes to Try
This slow cooker beef stew is so simple to make, all you have to do is dump the ingredients into a crockpot and go about your day.
When dinner time rolls around your whole family will enjoy this hearty meal.
Craving a keto chicken crockpot dump meal? This keto chicken and rice soup is a time-saving recipe with lots of flavor. Simple and delicious, the way healthy cooking should be.
If you are looking for different methods to prepare the meatballs for this recipe you may enjoy learning how to make meatballs with a variety of meats.
This post includes recipes for baked, stovetop, in sauce & more.
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Low Carb Meatball Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb of ground meat (beef, turkey, and venison, all seem to work well)
- 1 Cup of Almond Flour
- 1/4 Cup of Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Cup of Mozzarella
- 3 Cheesesticks
- 29 ounces of Keto tomato sauce
- 4 Tablespoons of Garlic Powder
- 4 Tablespoons of Onion Powder
- 2 Tablespoon of Italian Seasoning
- 1 Egg
- Olive oil for cooking meatballs
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
This low carb meatball casserole recipe comes together by combining the meat, beaten egg, parmesan, and half of the seasoning in a large mixing bowl.
Mix everything together in one big batch and then form into balls. I usually make around 20 meatballs so they will cover the bottom of the dish although you can make large meatballs if you prefer but this will change the amount of net carbs per serving.
You can use a small cookie scoop or a meatball master to get perfect circles but I usually do this part with my hands.
Place meatballs in a single layer in a well-oiled frying pan. Cook on medium heat until slightly crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside.
Add the tomato sauce and remaining seasoning on top, to the baking dish.
Once the meatballs are thoroughly cooked, add them to a casserole dish and then top the meatballs with cheese.
I use a combination of cheese sticks and shredded mozzarella cheese for this step. Peeling the sticks takes an additional 2-3 minutes but the chunks are always a big hit with my family when melted in keto recipes, so it’s worth the extra trouble.
Finally, bake the casserole dish in a preheated oven set to 375 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted completely.
Be sure to store any leftovers of this keto meatball recipe in an airtight container or large bowl wrapped with aluminum foil or in a freezer bag for up to 3-4 days.
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kathy pease
Wednesday 29th of April 2020
This looks so yummy and I will have to try out the recipe :)
kathypease
Wednesday 29th of April 2020
This looks so yummy and I will have to try out the recipe :)