Irresistible Keto Meatball Parmesan Casserole – Cheesy Low-Carb Comfort Food Recipe

Introduction

This Keto Meatball Parmesan Casserole is a cheesy, low-carb comfort food that’s perfect for satisfying your cravings without the carbs. Made with tender turkey meatballs baked in a rich tomato sauce and topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan, it’s an easy and delicious meal for any night of the week.

A white baking dish is filled with a baked meatball casserole showing three clear layers: the bottom is a rich deep red tomato sauce, the middle has large round meatballs, and the top is melted golden to white bubbly cheese sprinkled with chopped fresh green herbs. The edges of the dish show some cooked sauce spots, and the dish sits on a white marbled surface with blurred green leaves in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground turkey (or ground beef or pork)
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup low-carb tomato sauce (no added sugar)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, egg, ¾ cup shredded mozzarella, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
  3. Step 3: Shape the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
  4. Step 4: Bake the meatballs for 25 minutes, or until they are cooked through and slightly browned.
  5. Step 5: Transfer the baked meatballs to a casserole dish. Pour the low-carb tomato sauce over them, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
  6. Step 6: Bake the casserole uncovered for 15–20 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly. For a golden finish, broil for 2–3 minutes—watch carefully to prevent burning.
  7. Step 7: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired, and enjoy hot.

Tips & Variations

  • Use ground beef or pork if you prefer a richer flavor instead of turkey.
  • Add crushed red pepper flakes to the meatball mix for a spicy kick.
  • Swap low-carb tomato sauce for homemade marinara to control ingredients.
  • Serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a complete keto meal.

Storage

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave in short intervals to avoid drying out the meatballs.

How to Serve

The dish shows many round meatballs covered in melted light beige cheese with some golden brown spots, placed evenly in a single layer over a smooth, creamy, light yellow sauce. Bright green chopped herbs are scattered on top, adding a fresh contrast. The meatballs have a slightly rough texture with visible bits of cooked tomato sauce in deep red and brownish shades. The food is served on a shallow white plate, set against a white marbled textured surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze the meatball casserole?

Yes, you can freeze the assembled casserole before baking or after cooking. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

What can I use if I don’t have low-carb tomato sauce?

You can substitute with a no-sugar-added marinara or make your own by simmering crushed tomatoes with garlic, herbs, and a pinch of salt.

Print

Irresistible Keto Meatball Parmesan Casserole – Cheesy Low-Carb Comfort Food Recipe

This Irresistible Keto Meatball Parmesan Casserole is a cheesy, low-carb comfort food perfect for a satisfying dinner. Featuring tender turkey meatballs baked to perfection, smothered in rich tomato sauce and generous layers of mozzarella and parmesan cheese, it’s a deliciously simple meal that fits perfectly into a keto lifestyle.

  • Author: Sana
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Low Carb

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs:

  • 2 pounds ground turkey (or ground beef or pork)
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt

For the Casserole:

  • 1 cup low-carb tomato sauce (no added sugar)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  2. Mix Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, egg, ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix gently until all ingredients are just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat to keep the meatballs tender.
  3. Shape & Bake: Form the mixture into 1.5-inch diameter meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and no longer pink inside.
  4. Assemble Casserole: Transfer the baked meatballs into a casserole dish. Pour 1 cup of low-carb tomato sauce evenly over the meatballs. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and the ½ cup grated parmesan cheese on top of the meatballs and sauce.
  5. Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. For a golden, slightly crisp cheese topping, broil the casserole for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  6. Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve hot for a comforting low-carb keto meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey with ground beef or pork based on preference.
  • Use low-carb tomato sauce with no added sugar to keep this dish keto-friendly.
  • Broil only for a short time to avoid burning the cheese topping.
  • Resting the casserole before serving helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to serve.
  • Optional fresh herbs like basil or parsley add a fresh, aromatic touch to the casserole.

Keywords: Keto meatball casserole, low carb meatballs, keto comfort food, cheesy keto casserole, turkey meatballs, low carb dinner

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating