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

Whole30 Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

40aprons.com/whole30-meatballs/
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
Recipe Makes (Approximate): 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
  • ⅓ 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.

Recipe 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 Information (Approximate)

Serving Size: 1servingCalories: 400calProtein: 37gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 535mgPotassium: 999mgTotal Carbs: 10gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gNet Carbs: 8gVitamin A: 326IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 5mg
Recipe By: Cheryl Malik
https://40aprons.com/whole30-meatballs/