Keto Italian Meatball Casserole

This Italian Meatball Casserole is a super simple dinner with your crockpot doing all the hard work. All you need to do is combine the ground beef, coconut flour, cheeses, and spices; in just a few hours, you’ll have a hearty but low-carb keto meatball casserole. This keto casserole is perfect for family dinners, game days, and get-togethers with friends!

If you’re looking for more easy low-carb dinners using ground beef, try my Keto Ground Beef Casserole or this quick Italian Ground Beef Skillet for simple, family-friendly meals.

HOW TO MAKE THIS KETO MEATBALL CASSEROLE

I love this Italian meatball casserole because it’s really simple to make. I had made BBQ meatballs before, so I knew it would be easy to make a couple of changes to the recipe to make keto/low carb Italian Meatballs.

Usually, Italian Meatballs are served over noodles, but instead of making a noodle substitute, we just ate them right out of the casserole dish with a side of buttery broccoli. This recipe is so versatile; if you don’t own a crockpot, you can still bake this casserole; you can change ground beef out with ground turkey! This recipe will quickly become one of your favorites. 

If you’d like to eat with a keto/low carb noodle substitute, you could serve it over spaghetti squash (how to roast a spaghetti squash here) or with zucchini noodles.

For more easy low-carb dinner ideas, browse my full collection of keto beef recipes.

Ingredients:

1. Ground Beef – I used 80/20 ground beef, but you could also sub ground turkey instead.
2. Cheeses– Parmesan and mozzarella cheese make this taste amazing. 
3. Coconut flour – Acts as a binder, so all the ingredients stay together. You can sub almond flour instead. 
4. Eggs – Mix with the coconut flour to make the meatballs form properly. 
5. Low Carb Spaghetti Sauce – Make certain it’s sugar-free as well; spaghetti sauce also adds moisture to the keto meatballs. 
6. Seasonings– Use as directed and then taste test. 

Steps to make Keto Italian Meatball Casserole:

Step 1: Combine all ingredients except the low-carb spaghetti sauce, mozzarella, and basil. Stir the mixture until combined.

Step 2: Place a cast-iron skillet on medium heat on the stove, and cover the bottom of the skillet with coconut or olive oil. 

Step 4: When the oil gets hot, scoop meatballs with a small cookie scoop into hot oil and brown. If you prefer, you can form the meatballs into balls by hand, but I have found that using a cookie scoop or ice scoop is easier. 

Step 5: Once the meatballs are browned, place them in the bottom of a crockpot, and pour the low-carb spaghetti sauce over the top of the keto meatballs. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low 4-5 hours.

Low Carb Marinara Sauce Options without any added sugars:

Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce – 6g carbs – 1g fiber = 5g net carbs per ½ cup
Rao’s Homemade Tomato Basil Sauce – 6g carbs – 1g fiber = 5g net carbs per ½ cup
Lucini Italia Organic Tuscan Tomato Sauce – 5g carbs – 1g fiber = 4g net carbs per ½ cup
Lucini Italia Organic Rustic Tomato Basil – 5g carbs – 1g fiber = 4g net carbs per ½ cup
Victoria Trading Company Marinara Sauce – 6g carbs – 1g fiber = 5g net carbs per 1/2 cup
ALDI Selected Premium Marinara – 7g carbs – 2g fiber = 5g net carbs per ½ cup
Mezzetta Family Recipes Marinara – 7g carbs – 1g fiber = 6g net carbs per ½ cup
Classico Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce – 8g carbs – 2g fiber = 6g net carbs ½ cup

Step 7: Scoop out meatballs into a casserole dish. Make sure to spray the casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray, so you can easily scoop out the meatball casserole. 

Step 9: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese, then basil on top. Then, broil in the oven on the top rack for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese starts to bubble and brown. Once out of the oven sprinkle with parsley and enjoy! 

Yum! This keto meatball casserole is delish! It has so much flavor after slow cooking all day in the crock-pot.

Easy Variations

This Italian meatball casserole is easy to customize based on what you have on hand or how your family likes to eat.

• Use different meat: Swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or a mix of beef and pork for more flavor.
• Change the sauce: Use marinara, arrabbiata, or your favorite low-carb pasta sauce.
• Add vegetables: Spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini can be added for extra texture and nutrition.
• Switch up the cheese: Mozzarella is classic, but provolone or an Italian blend works well too.
• Make it extra cheesy: Add a layer of ricotta or cream cheese for a richer, more comforting casserole.
• Serve it differently: Pair with a simple salad or serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.

KETO MEATBALL RECIPE TIPS

• Even though this simple meatball recipe is ultimately cooked in the crockpot, there is a portion to cook in a cast-iron pan as well. You will fry up the meatballs until the outside has a nice brown crust before adding to a casserole dish. 
• Use a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop and pack the meatball tightly against the side of the bowl before dropping it into the oil to fry. This makes it so much easier, and it’s not as messy.
• If you’re worried that they have a lot of grease on them after cooking in the oil, you can place them on a napkin to soak some of it up. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this meatball casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake.

How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Can I freeze meatball casserole?
Yes, this casserole freezes well. Let it cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months.

How do I reheat it?
Reheat in the oven until warmed through or microwave individual portions.

What do I serve it with?
This is such a simple and easy meal in itself and…

• Serve as is with a simple leafy garden salad and Keto Cheesy Garlic Chaffle Bread.
• Roasted broccoli, asparagus, or keto air-fryer roasted green beans make wonderful low-carb side dishes.
• Serve over steamed riced cauliflower or zucchini zoodles for more of a pasta dish feel.

What Kind of Topping go with this Keto Italian Casserole?
Fresh parmesan is always a big hit. But you can also add diced onions, parsley, and even some fresh basil and chives. As long as the toppings are low carb, they should be fine to add.

More Low Carb Dinner Recipes:

If you love our simple keto meatball casserole, then I know you will enjoy checking out all of my family’s favorite recipes in my Keto Recipes Index. With tons of delicious sweet and savory options perfect for the keto diet, you will love this tool. I’ve shared a few more favorites below for a quick start to your menu!

• • • Easy Keto Baked Italian Sausage
    • Low Carb Ground Beef Recipe: Italian Keto Beef Skillet
    • Mozzarella Stuffed BBQ Keto Meatballs Recipe 

How to Make Keto Meatball Casserole:

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4.71 from 64 votes

Italian Meatball Casserole {Keto/Low Carb}

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 485kcal

Author: Kasey Trenum

Ingredients

• 1¼ lb Ground Beef 80/20
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• ½ cup mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons coconut flour
• 2 eggs
• ¾ tsp salt
• ¾ tsp minced onion
• ¼ tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 24 oz jar low carb spaghetti sauce
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon basil to sprinkle on top of cheeses

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients except the last three ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.
• Heat a cast iron skillet on medium on the stove.
• Cover the bottom of the skillet with ¼ inch coconut oil.
• When the oil gets hot, scoop meatballs with a cookie scoop into hot oil and brown.
• Once the meatballs are browned, place in the bottom of a crock pot.
• Pour spaghetti sauce on top of the meatballs.
• Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low 4-5.
• Scoop out meatballs into a casserole dish.
• Sprinkle mozzarella cheese then basil on top.
• Broil in the oven on the top rack for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese starts to bubble and brown.

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Notes

Low Carb Pizza Sauce Options without any added sugars:

• Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce – 4g net carbs per ½ cup
• Rao’s Homemade Tomato Basil Sauce – 3g net carbs per ½ cup
• Lucini Italia Organic Tuscan Marinara Sauce – 3g net carbs per ½ cup
• Lucini Italia Organic Rustic Tomato Basil – 3g net carbs per ½ cup
• Mezzetta Napa Valley Homemade Sauce Marinara – 6g net carbs per ½ cup
• ALDI Simply Selected Premium Marinara – 5g net carbs per ½ cup

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 166mg | Sodium: 1394mg | Potassium: 707mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 958IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 368mg | Iron: 4mg

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