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Home Blog Course Main Course

Indian Meatballs Recipe with Creamy Sauce (Whole30, Paleo)

Cheryl Malik
Cheryl Malik Posted: 01/01/19 Updated: 05/15/22
5
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32 Comments
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DF Dairy Free GF Gluten Free LC Low Carb P Paleo 30 Whole30

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This post was generously sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market but all opinions are my own.

This Indian meatballs recipe with a creamy sauce makes tender, perfectly spiced meatballs in a rich sauce inspired by butter chicken. Whole30, paleo, gluten, and dairy free, the Indian meatballs include shredded zucchini to keep them moist and tender! They’re a quick Indian dinner and are perfect for meal prep.

Indian meatballs with creamy sauce next to cauliflower rice topped with cilantro in a grey dish

How many Indian meatballs with that creamy tomato sauce can I eat off the Indian lunch buffet?

Like way, way too many. You know what I’m talking about, right? Those little chicken tikka masala-inspired meatballs that show up at the lunch buffet and escape before the dinner menu takes over, the meatballs that fill an entire plate for me and disappear just as quickly.

There’s something about that rich, creamy tomato sauce that I just can’t get over, and the tender little meatballs are irresistible!

These Indian meatballs with a creamy sauce were inspired by the Indian flavors we love, along with the perfect little meal prep or dinner method: meatballs! I used my Indian Butter Chicken recipe as a guide, along with my Best Ever Paleo Italian Meatballs to create a beautiful marriage: moist and veggie-heavy little meatballs along with a rich, spiced sauce to simmer it all in.

Indian meatballs with creamy sauce next to cauliflower rice topped with cilantro in a cast iron skillet on a green napkin

Why we love this recipe

  • These Indian meatballs are super flavorful, loaded with fresh aromatics and herbs.
  • The sauce is perfectly spiced with Indian spices, ginger, and cinnamon, and it’s balanced with coconut cream.
  • Ghee provides a rich base, like butter but without the lactose or milk solids. It’s also Whole30 compliant and paleo! My absolute favorite is 4th & Heart Original Ghee.
  • Sprouts Coconut Cream is my hands-down favorite, and I keep tons of this stuff in my pantry. This coconut cream is super heavy on the actual solid, white coconut cream, and it’s perfect for this recipe.
  • This recipe makes a big skillet full of meatballs, so they’re perfect for meal prep!
Indian meatballs with creamy sauce next to cauliflower rice topped with cilantro in a grey dish on a green napkin with 4th & Heart Ghee in background

Tips

  • I use a disher to scoop out the meatballs mixture then round them in between my palms. This method means making these meatballs is super easy and a quick process.
  • Use 2 pounds of ground pork if you prefer, or 2 pounds of ground chicken. Any combination of these will work, and you can use ground turkey, too!
  • If you prefer a super creamy sauce, use an 8-oz. can of tomato sauce, rather than a 15-oz. can.
  • “Coconut cream” means just the white, solid part of a can of coconut milk or coconut cream. I recommend using Sprouts Coconut Cream, which has about 1 cup of coconut cream per can. I always have at least 5 or 6 cans in our pantry!
  • Don’t overcrowd the meatballs; this will actually make the process go faster since you’ll be able to push them around with a spatula once they’re browned on one side.
  • Serve over steamed cauliflower rice or regular basmati rice (if you’re not paleo or on a Whole30) and top with plenty of fresh chopped cilantro.
Indian meatballs with creamy sauce next to cauliflower rice topped with cilantro in a grey dish

Other recipes you’ll love:

  • Best Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe (Restaurant Style, Whole30 and Paleo Options)
  • Whole30 Chicken Curry (Low Carb, Paleo)
  • Whole30 Indian Butter Chicken
  • Whole30 Indian Saag Chicken
  • The Best Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala (Whole30, Paleo)
  • Paneer Tikka Masala

Hey – you’ve made it this far, so now we’re basically best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, too!

Indian meatballs with creamy sauce next to cauliflower rice topped with cilantro in a grey dish
5 from 20 votes

Indian Meatballs Recipe with Creamy Sauce (Whole30, Paleo)

Prep:15 minutes
Cook:25 minutes
Total:40 minutes
Perfectly spiced, tender Indian meatballs with a creamy sauce. Whole30, paleo, and dairy free, this Indian dinner recipe has hidden veggies that keep the meatballs moist. 
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6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 pound ground chicken or 1 more pound ground pork
  • 2 cups shredded zucchini
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • coconut oil or ghee for frying

Indian Butter Sauce

  • 1/4 cup Fourth & Heart Original Ghee
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 15- ounce can tomato sauce or for a creamier sauce, use an 8-ounce can
  • 1 tablespoon coconut aminos or coconut sugar if desired and not on Whole30
  • 2 cups coconut cream only the solid white part from about 2 cans of Sprouts Coconut Cream
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions 

  • Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl. Using a small disher or tablespoon, scoop out uniformly sized balls of the mixture and place on baking pans. Roll between your palms to smooth and form round balls.
  • Heat a thin layer of refined coconut oil or ghee in a large skillet, preferably cast-iron, over medium heat. Working in batches, fry meatballs, taking care not to overcrowd, until browned. Meatballs will finish cooking in a later step, so you do not need to cook them through in this step. Transfer to a plate, and fry remaining meatballs.
  • Once meatballs are cooked, clean out skillet. Add 1/4 cup ghee to skillet and melt over medium-low heat. Add garam masala, paprika, coriander, cayenne pepper, ginger, and cinnamon stick. Stir fry 1 minute until fragrant and a smooth, incorporated paste.
  • Increase heat to medium and add tomato sauce and coconut aminos or sugar (Do not use the coconut sugar if on a Whole30). Simmer for 5 minutes or until sauce has thickened, stirring occasionally.
  • Add coconut cream, lemon juice, and meatballs and simmer for 5-10 minutes or until sauce has thickened slightly and meatballs are cooked through. Add plenty of salt to taste; using enough will cut the heavy spice flavor and round out the entire dish. Serve over cooked cauliflower rice with chopped fresh cilantro.

Notes

If you prefer a creamier sauce, use an 8-oz. can in the sauce, rather than a 15-oz. can.
If you’re on a Whole30, do not use the coconut sugar in the sauce. You must use the coconut aminos, which I prefer in the sauce anyway!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 681kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 58g, Saturated Fat: 37g, Cholesterol: 138mg, Sodium: 1517mg, Potassium: 1265mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 780IU, Vitamin C: 17.6mg, Calcium: 60mg, Iron: 4.5mg, Net Carbs: 9g

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

 

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

 

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

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Cheryl Malik

Meet Cheryl Malik

Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She's been a blogger for 10+ years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of three who lives in Memphis, TN.

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  1. Wilma says

    Posted on 11/12/22 at 4:42 pm

    Can coconut milk be used instead of the coconut cream

    Reply
    • Molly | 40 Aprons TeamMolly | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 11/14/22 at 10:01 am

      Hi Wilma. You could, the sauce just won’t be as thick.

      Reply
  2. Zoe says

    Posted on 10/3/22 at 10:31 am

    This recipes looks and sounds amazing. Is there a substitute for coconut aminos that would work in this recipe? Fish sauce, maybe? Or tamari?

    Reply
    • Megan | 40 Aprons TeamMegan | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 10/16/22 at 12:44 am

      Depending on your dietary needs, you could try coconut sugar, soy sauce, or lite tamari.

      Reply
  3. Beck and Bulow says

    Posted on 2/7/22 at 1:38 pm

    This is a fantastic recipe! We love them as is or we slice a few & put in low carb wraps with red onion, lettuce, cucumber & tzatziki… amazing.5 stars

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | 40 Aprons TeamAnna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 2/16/22 at 6:19 pm

      Yum! So glad you enjoyed it!5 stars

      Reply
  4. TK says

    Posted on 12/28/21 at 1:19 pm

    I have made this many times. It is so easy and delicious. Making it again tonight for friends.5 stars

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | 40 Aprons TeamAnna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 1/3/22 at 7:54 pm

      So glad you enjoyed this recipe!5 stars

      Reply
  5. Ranji Bhimji says

    Posted on 12/2/21 at 5:59 pm

    Hiya….and thank you ever so much for posting this incredible Indian meatball receipe…I am of Indian origin but Canadian born….I find this recipe a perfect blend of the east palate meeting the western influence.
    Most excellent and thank you for sharing and yes, definitely the zuchini adds the much needed moistness. At first I thought oh no, zuchinni is not my favorite vegetable but I trusted your judgment ….well done!
    Actually going to make batches of the meatballs as Xmas presents for several friends.5 stars

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | 40 Aprons TeamAnna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 12/7/21 at 4:26 pm

      We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, Ranji! Thanks for sharing your experience. 🙂5 stars

      Reply
  6. Lisa says

    Posted on 8/23/21 at 3:02 pm

    Tastes as good as the restaurant if not better! Definitely a family favorite!5 stars

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | 40 Aprons TeamAnna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 8/31/21 at 8:49 pm

      So glad to hear this, Lisa! Thanks for sharing.5 stars

      Reply
  7. Janice Lacy says

    Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:31 am

    Making this FABULOUS recipe for the 4th time…tripling it for the first time! My family and I would eat it every night if given the choice!5 stars

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | 40 Aprons TeamAnna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 8/31/21 at 8:49 pm

      What a stellar compliment, Janice! Thank you! Glad you and your family enjoy this recipe.5 stars

      Reply
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