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Tuscan Low Carb Meatballs

Deliciously juicy beef meatballs in a rich, garlicky Parmesan cream sauce, served over zucchini noodles for a low-carb meal that's elegant and easy to prepare.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the meatballs
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended) Use leaner mixes carefully to avoid dry meatballs.
  • 1/2 cup almond flour Almond meal can be used; sift if very coarse.
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Plus extra for the sauce.
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced For the meatballs.
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
For the sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil For searing.
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced For the sauce.
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese For the sauce.
  • Zucchini noodles To serve.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, almond flour, 1/4 cup Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined — do not overwork the meat.
  2. Shape the mixture into 1–1.5 inch meatballs, ensuring even size for uniform cooking.
Cooking
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, add meatballs in a single layer without crowding. Brown on all sides for about 10–12 minutes until cooked through (internal temp ~160°F / 71°C). Remove meatballs to a plate.
  2. In the same skillet, lower heat slightly and add remaining minced garlic, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant. Scrape up browned bits.
  3. Pour in heavy cream and stir. Simmer gently until thickened slightly, about 2–3 minutes.
  4. Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan until melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Return meatballs to the skillet, spoon sauce over them, and simmer for 1–2 minutes to marry flavors.
Serving
  1. Serve meatballs over zucchini noodles or on their own, garnishing with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan if desired.

Notes

For a twist, swap ground beef for a mix of beef and pork, or substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk to make it dairy-free. Avoid dense meatballs by not overmixing ingredients.