Cheese-Stuffed Italian Meatballs in Tomato Basil Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-08 · Updated 2026-08-08

Juicy, keto-friendly Italian meatballs stuffed with mozzarella cheese simmered in a fragrant low-carb tomato basil sauce. This Italian-inspired keto recipe (low carb), ready in about 45 minutes, blends ground beef, mozzarella 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 480 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 ground beef
• 4 oz, cut into 1/2-inch cubes mozzarella cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 14 oz canned diced tomatoes (no sugar added)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 tsp onion powder

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, mix 1 lb ground beef, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup almond flour, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until just combined.
2. Step 2: Form mixture into 12 meatballs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Press a 1/2-inch cube of mozzarella cheese into the center of each meatball and reshape tightly around the cheese.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until browned but not fully cooked through.
4. Step 4: Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil to the skillet. Reduce heat to low and simmer meatballs in sauce for 15 minutes until cooked through and sauce thickens.