Baked Cheddar-Stuffed Meatballs in Spicy Tomato Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-30 · Updated 2026-06-30

Juicy ground beef meatballs stuffed with sharp cheddar cheese, baked until golden, and simmered in a rich, spicy tomato sauce perfect for a hearty low-carb dinner. This Mediterranean-inspired keto recipe (low carb), ready in about 40 minutes, blends ground beef, sharp cheddar cheese, egg into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 440 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb, 80% lean ground beef
• 4 oz, cut into 1/2-inch cubes sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup, grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1 large egg, 1/3 cup almond flour, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Form the mixture into 12 equal portions and flatten each slightly. Place a 1/2-inch cube of sharp cheddar cheese inside each, then carefully shape into a round meatball sealing the cheese inside.
3. Step 3: Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil. Bake for 15 minutes until browned and cooked through.
4. Step 4: While meatballs bake, heat a medium saucepan over medium heat and add 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes. Simmer gently for 5 minutes until sauce thickens.
5. Step 5: Transfer baked meatballs to the tomato sauce, add 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, and simmer together for 3 minutes to meld flavors. Serve hot.