Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs in Spicy Tomato Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-10 · Updated 2026-05-10

Juicy ground beef meatballs stuffed with melted cheese, simmered in a rich, spicy tomato sauce for a hearty keto meal. 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 450 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 12 small cubes mozzarella cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup, grated parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup almond flour
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/3 cup almond flour, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Form the mixture into 12 equal balls. Press a 1/3-inch cube of mozzarella cheese into the center of each meatball and seal tightly.
3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown on all sides for about 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: Remove the meatballs and set aside. In the same skillet, add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in 1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes and stir in 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes.
5. Step 5: Return the meatballs to the skillet, spooning some sauce over them. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and cheese is melted.
6. Step 6: Remove from oven and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil over the dish before serving.