Mains
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10 min prepServes 2Easy
Mains
Italian Keto Meatballs
Juicy beef meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce — low carb, big flavour
GF❄ Freezer Friendly
These meatballs are everything you want from an Italian classic — juicy, garlicky, and simmered in a rich tomato sauce — without the breadcrumbs. The secret is chilli oil for frying, which adds a gentle warmth to the whole dish. Serve straight from the pan with fresh basil and a mountain of parmesan, or pile onto zucchini noodles for a proper keto dinner.
Ingredients
4 serves
Meatballs
- 500g lean beef mince
- 1 egg
- 1 heaped tsp minced garlic
- ½ Tbs dried basil
- 1 Tbs onion salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Olive oil or chilli oil, to fry
Sauce
- 1 x 425g can crushed tomatoes
- 1 x 425g can tomato soup
- ⅔ cup tomato paste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
To serve
- Fresh basil (a must)
- Finely grated parmesan or mozzarella cheese
Method
- 1
Combine the beef mince, egg, garlic, dried basil, onion salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix well and roll into golf ball-sized meatballs.
- 2
Heat a generous splash of olive oil or chilli oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning to colour all sides. They don't need to be cooked through at this stage.
- 3
Transfer the browned meatballs to a baking dish or return them all to the pan. Pour over the crushed tomatoes, tomato soup, and tomato paste. Stir gently to combine.
- 4
Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, or bake in a 180°C oven for 25 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
- 5
Scatter generously with fresh basil and serve with finely grated parmesan or mozzarella.
Kitchen Notes
Chilli oil instead of plain olive oil makes a real difference here — it adds a gentle background warmth to the whole dish. Both the meatballs and sauce freeze beautifully. Cool completely and freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
What I'd serve with this
With zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a full keto meal, or over spaghetti if you're not keeping it low carb. Fresh basil and a heavy hand with the parmesan are non-negotiable.
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