Made with ground beef and pork and seasoned to perfection with Italian herbs and spices, these Baked Keto Meatballs are juicy, tender, and rich in flavor.
Whether you're following a ketogenic diet or are looking for a nutritious meal option, these low-carb meatballs are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy.
This meatball recipe pairs perfectly with various keto-friendly dishes, including Ketogenic Spaghetti, Keto Egg Noodles, or Keto Oven Roasted Vegetables.
Why you’ll love this keto-friendly recipe
These Baked Keto Meatballs are an excellent choice for anyone following a low-carb ketogenic diet.
This wonderful recipe creates meatballs packed with protein and healthy fats, keeping you satisfied and satiated while keeping your body in fat-burning mode.
The blend of ground beef and pork ensures a juicy and savory texture, while the aromatic herbs and spices add a delightful flavor profile that will have you and the whole family wanting more.
What’s more, you can enjoy these meatballs as a main meal paired with low-carb side dishes, use them as a topping for keto-friendly pizzas or salads, or serve as a delightful appetizer.
Each serving of these meatballs contains only 3.2 grams of carbohydrates, so you can indulge without worrying about exceeding your daily net carb limit or disrupting ketosis.
Frying vs. baking meatballs
When it comes to preparing meatballs, you have two main options: frying or baking.
While both methods result in delicious meatballs, baking is generally considered the better choice, especially for those following a nutritious low-carb diet such as Healthy Keto®.
Frying meatballs typically involves using a significant amount of oil at very high temperatures, which can add potentially harmful fats to your meal and reduce its nutritional value.
"Avoid using unsaturated fats such as soy, canola oil, and peanut oil when frying foods,” explains Dr. Berg. “These fats oxidize very quickly and can turn into damaging chemical compounds called advanced lipid oxidation end-products (ALEs)."
ALEs can negatively impact your heart health and can even increase your risk of developing cancer.
A study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research summarizes the negative health effects of ALEs as follows, “Dietary ALEs seem to act as injurious chemicals that activate an inflammatory response that affects not only the circulatory system but also organs such as liver, kidney, lung, and the gut itself.”
However, certain oils are better choices than others if you prefer fried meatballs.
Avocado oil, coconut oil, grass-fed ghee, or beef tallow are among the healthiest oils and fats for cooking as they have relatively high smoke points and don’t readily form ALEs when heated.
Alternatively, cooking at slightly lower temperatures by pan frying, stir-frying, or using an air fryer is an excellent way to get the fried meatball experience while minimizing exposure to unhealthy fats.
What to serve with Baked Keto Meatballs
Meatballs are a staple in Italian cuisine and a versatile dish that works well with many low-carb dishes.
Here are five ways to serve this delicious ketogenic meatball recipe.
1. Ketogenic Spaghetti
For a classic Italian-style dish, serve your meatballs over a bed of Ketogenic Spaghetti made with low-carb shirataki noodles.
Top with a rich, sugar-free marinara or tomato sauce, sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and garnish with fresh parsley to create a classic entrée.
Zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash are excellent alternatives to shirataki noodles, which can be difficult to find in some places.
2. Keto Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks
Enjoy your low-carb meatballs with these Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks.
Made by blending mozzarella and Parmesan cheese with almond flour, these breadsticks provide a delicious and keto-friendly alternative to carb-heavy breadsticks that work perfectly for soaking up any leftover marinara sauce.
3. Keto Egg Noodles
These homemade Keto Egg Noodles are a great alternative to traditional pasta and pair perfectly with Baked Keto Meatballs.
The neutral flavor of the egg noodles allows them to absorb the rich, savory notes of the meatballs and marinara sauce, creating a satisfying and well-rounded dish.
4. Keto Garlic Bread
This pull-apart Keto Garlic Bread is a perfect side dish for low-carb spaghetti with meatballs.
Made with almond flour, mozzarella, and plenty of garlic and herbs, this garlic bread is a delicious, savory addition to any meal.
5. Keto Oven Roasted Vegetables
For a simple and nutritious side dish, serve your freshly cooked meatballs with a colorful variety of low-carb Oven Roasted Vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, broccoli, and onions.
For a tasty casserole twist, toss the roasted vegetables and baked meatballs in marinara sauce, top with shredded mozzarella cheese, and broil for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
Storing and reheating tips
One of the best things about this keto meatball recipe is that it’s perfect for meal prepping. You can easily make a large batch and store them in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.
To store your meatballs, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container where they can be kept refrigerated for up to four days.
If you want to keep your meatballs longer, they can be frozen for up to three months.
To freeze, place the cooled meatballs on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the meatballs to a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
To reheat these meatballs, place them in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through.
If reheating from frozen, add an extra 5 to 10 minutes to the cooking time.
Final thoughts
Low in carbs, rich in healthy fats, and packed with protein, these Baked Keto Meatballs are a delicious and nutritious choice for anyone following a low-carb diet.
By baking or air frying these meatballs instead of frying them, you can enjoy the classic taste and texture of traditional meatballs while minimizing your exposure to potentially harmful fats.
Serve these meatballs with Ketogenic Spaghetti, Keto Oven Roasted Vegetables, or Keto Egg Noodles for a well-rounded and nutritious meal option.
FAQ
1. How many carbs are in Baked Keto Meatballs?
Each serving of these Baked Keto Meatballs contains 3.3 grams of carbs, making them a perfect option for those following a low-carb diet.
2. Are Baked Keto Meatballs gluten-free?
Yes, all the ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free.
However, always double-check the labels of all ingredients you plan to use to ensure they’re gluten-free and not at risk of cross-contamination.
3. Is it healthier to bake meatballs vs. frying them?
Yes, baking meatballs is generally considered healthier than frying them.
Frying can lead to the formation of harmful inflammatory compounds known as advanced lipid oxidation end-products (ALEs), especially when using heat-unstable oils such as soy, canola, or peanut oil.
4. What keto-friendly side dishes go with Baked Keto Meatballs?
Some excellent keto-friendly side dishes to pair with this meatball recipe include Keto Egg Noodles, Keto Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks, Keto Garlic Bread, or Keto Oven Roasted Vegetables.
Source
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17854006/
