Cheese-Stuffed Keto Meatballs with Garlic Butter Sauce
Juicy ground beef meatballs stuffed with melting cheese, served in a rich garlic butter sauce for a hearty keto-friendly meal. This Mediterranean-inspired keto recipe (low-carb), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs ground beef, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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
- 12 oz, 80% lean ground beef
- 3 oz, cut into 12 small cubes mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup, grated parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 3 cloves minced garlic
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, mix 12 oz ground beef with 1 large egg, 1 tsp garlic powder, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese until just combined.
- Step 2: Form the mixture into 12 equal-sized balls. Press a 3 oz mozzarella cheese cube into the center of each meatball and seal the meat around it completely.
- Step 3: Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15-18 minutes until cooked through and golden on the outside.
- Step 4: While meatballs bake, melt 3 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Step 5: Remove meatballs from oven and transfer to the skillet with garlic butter. Toss gently to coat the meatballs in the sauce and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cheese-Stuffed Keto Meatballs with Garlic Butter Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cheese-Stuffed Keto Meatballs with Garlic Butter Sauce?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cheese-Stuffed Keto Meatballs with Garlic Butter Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cheese-Stuffed Keto Meatballs with Garlic Butter Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Cheese-Stuffed Keto Meatballs with Garlic Butter Sauce keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low-carb, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
