Go Back
+ servings
Whole30 Italian meatballs in a cast-iron skillet with marinara sauce.

Whole30 Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

Quick and easy Whole30 meatballs are the perfect, compliant way to satisfy your Italian dinner cravings.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Yield:6 servings

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Cookie scoop with release handle or tablespoon
  • plate or baking sheet
  • Large skillet
  • plate or bowl

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
  • cup roughly chopped fresh herbs equal parts parsley, thyme, and basil
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • ¼ cup almond flour
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil like avocado oil or olive oil
  • 3 cups Whole30-compliant marinara sauce
  • fresh basil optional, for serving
  • zucchini noodles optional, for serving

Instructions

  • In large bowl, thoroughly combine ground beef, chopped onion, fresh herbs, garlic, egg, almond flour, salt, and pepper.
  • Use cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out ground beef mixture into meatballs, each containing 2 tablespoons of mixture. Quickly roll meatball between palms to round out, then place on plate or baking sheet. Continue until all ground beef mixture has been portioned.
  • Heat neutral oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot and shimmering, add meatballs, being careful not to overcrowd skillet. Cook 3 to 5 minutes, turning frequently, until meatballs are browned on all sides. Transfer to plate or bowl and repeat until all meatballs have been cooked.
  • Once all meatballs are browned, return all to skillet and add marinara sauce. Stir well to coat meatballs, then bring to simmer over medium heat and cook 5 to 8 minutes, until sauce is hot and meatballs are cooked through.
  • Divide meatballs and sauce into equal portions and serve with fresh basil and zucchini noodles, if desired.

Notes

  • Marinara Sauce: Make sure to use a marinara that doesn't contain any added sugars or other ingredients that aren't Whole30-compliant.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1serving | Calories: 400kcal | Protein: 37g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 535mg | Potassium: 999mg | Total Carbs: 10g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Net Carbs: 8g | Vitamin A: 326IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 5mg
Recipe By:Cheryl Malik