Keto Meatballs with Bacon Tomato Sauce
Easy, Juicy, and flavorful low carb and keto meatballs in a tomato sauce loaded with smoky bacon. I give instructions for baking the meatballs in the oven and pan frying.
These Keto Meatballs with Bacon Tomato Sauce are so flavorful and perfectly saucy. I like to eat them with a side of lemony kale or you could serve them over zucchini noodles.
SOME OTHER EASY KETO RECIPES
- Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
- Steak Shish Kabobs
- Keto Chicken Parmesan
- Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
HOW TO MAKE KETO MEATBALLS
So what makes these meatballs keto? Most meatballs recipes include breadcrumbs to hold everything together. I went with parmesan cheese for this recipe instead of the breadcrumbs to give them more flavor and make them keto!
I love making meatballs because they can be so versatile in their flavors. I went more Italian with the flavors of these, though. I wanted to give you a delicious keto meatball that you will want to make over and over again.
For these meatballs I used ground beef, parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, eggs, garlic, salt, and pepper. Be sure you do not over mix your meatballs or they will become tough.
After I got everything mixed together, I baked them on a baking sheet. You could also fry them in the remaining bacon fat leftover from cooking the bacon. That would be really good too!
The marinara sauce I use and recommend for these keto meatballs is so amazing and flavorful, you will never make homemade sauce again. That sauce would be Rao’s Marinara. I love Rao’s Marinara because it only has 3 net carbs per 1/2 cup serving! I also like that it isn’t greasy. I have found other lower carb marinara sauces to be greasy, and I am just not a fan of that.
Let me get to this lemony kale. It is so basic, i’m not even sure it counts as a recipe. All I did is throw a bag of chopped frozen kale in a skillet with a lid and some avocado oil, salt, and lemon juice. I cooked it until it was tender. That’s it! I love to have frozen chopped kale on hand at all times. I put it in my daily low carb smoothies, and I eat it as a side dish all. the. time.
Keto Meatballs with Bacon Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 8 slices thick cut bacon , cut into lardons
- 2 lbs ground chuck or sirloin
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 eggs , beaten
- 1 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 sugar free Jar Marinara
Instructions
- Fry bacon in a heavy bottomed skillet (such as cast iron) over medium heat until crispy
- Remove bacon from pan and let drain on paper towels, leave bacon fat in pan
- Combine ground beef, parmesan, parsley, olive oil, eggs, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Roll mixture into 18 meatballs. You can bake the meatballs or you can fry the meatballs. I will give instructions for both.
- To bake the meatballs: pre-heat the oven to 400F and bake meatballs on a parchment or foil lined baking sheet for 15 minutes.
- To fry the meatballs: using reserved bacon grease and heavy skillet, fry each meatball over medium heat until brown on all sides. Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels.
- Remove any remaining bacon grease and add meatballs to the pan. Add the jar of marinara sauce and roll the meatballs around to coat. Let meatballs simmer for 30 minutes.
- Serve meatballs garnished with crispy bacon and fresh parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
⭐ Did you make this Keto Meatballs Recipe? Tag me on Instagram so I can see! @lowcarbwithjennifer
Can this be made using ground chicken or turkey?
yes definitely!
One more question! I was planning to use half beef and half pork – do you think that would work well for this recipe?
That would work perfect
Hi! I wondering how to best make these ahead – it sounds like the bacon probably wouldn’t stay crispy if I make them one or two days before serving them for a party? Is that ok? Curious about your recommendations
It would be fine but the bacon would be flabby. You could make them ahead and add the bacon later
I loved it! Best meatballs I have ever made. I’m glad I found the sauce recommended too, it really tasted great. I will definitely be making th it s again! Thank you for sharing your recipe:)
So happy to hear that!
Heck yes! These meatballs look delicious!
Everything about this is calling my name!
I am drooling over that bacon tomato sauce! This needs to go on my meal plan!
These meatballs look scrumptious!
So flavorful and delicious and I love the bacon & tomato combo!
This is perfect for my Keto friendly brunch menu.
Hi, I’m gluten free and dairy free. Is there another ingredient you could recommend to replace the cheese?
I would use almond flour
These look amazing! This is the best meatball recipe I have found!
I love that you used parmesan cheese instead of breadcrumbs for these meatballs…it makes them gluten free so we can enjoy them too :-).