Cheese-Stuffed Keto Meatballs with Marinara
Juicy keto meatballs stuffed with melted mozzarella cheese, simmered in a low-carb marinara sauce for a hearty, satisfying meal. This italian-inspired keto (keto, low carb) ready in about 40 minutes pairs ground beef, almond flour, grated parmesan cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups low-carb marinara sauce
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/4 cup almond flour, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Step 2: Form the mixture into 12 equal portions and flatten each into a patty. Place a 1/2-inch cube of mozzarella cheese in the center of each patty and carefully fold the meat around the cheese, sealing completely to form a ball.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown on all sides for 5-6 minutes.
- Step 4: Pour 2 cups low-carb marinara sauce over the browned meatballs, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and the cheese inside is melted.
- Step 5: Sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil before serving warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cheese-Stuffed Keto Meatballs with Marinara take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Marinara?
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 Marinara?
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 Marinara 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 Marinara 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.
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