Keto Beef Meatballs with Zesty Tomato Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

Tender beef meatballs baked until golden and served in a tangy low-carb tomato sauce infused with herbs and garlic. This Italian-inspired keto recipe (low carb), ready in about 40 minutes, pairs ground beef (80% lean), egg, grated Parmesan cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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

• 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup almond flour, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Form the mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches each, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Step 3: Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes, turning halfway through to brown evenly.
4. Step 4: While meatballs bake, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer for 8 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Step 5: Transfer baked meatballs into the tomato sauce and cook together for 5 minutes to meld flavors. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil before serving.