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Low Carb Meatball Parmesan Bake - Cozy, Cheesy, and Weeknight-Friendly

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef (80–85% lean) or a mix of beef and mild Italian sausage
  • 1/2 lb ground Italian sausage (optional if using all beef)
  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup fine almond flour (or crushed pork rinds for extra crunch)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup minced onion (or 1 tsp onion powder)
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp fennel seeds, lightly crushed (optional but great)
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups low-sugar marinara sauce (look for 4–6g net carbs per 1/2 cup)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/3 cup additional grated Parmesan, for topping
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (for the baking dish or skillet)
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

Method
 

  1. Preheat and prep: Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or a large oven-safe skillet with olive oil.
  2. Make the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef (and sausage if using), Parmesan, almond flour, egg, garlic, onion, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix or the meatballs can turn dense.
  3. Shape the meatballs: Roll into golf ball–sized meatballs (about 1 1/2 inches). You should get 18–22 meatballs depending on size.
  4. Bake the meatballs: Arrange in the prepared dish and bake for 15–18 minutes, until mostly cooked through and lightly browned. They don’t need to be fully done yet.
  5. Add sauce and cheese: Spoon marinara over and around the meatballs. Sprinkle with mozzarella and the extra Parmesan, covering evenly but leaving a few meatball peaks exposed.
  6. Finish baking: Return to the oven for 10–12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a golden top, switch to broil for 1–3 minutes. Watch closely.
  7. Rest and garnish: Let the bake rest for 5 minutes so the sauce settles. Finish with chopped basil or parsley.
  8. Serve: Spoon into bowls or plates. Pair with a crisp salad, roasted veggies, or zucchini noodles for a full low-carb meal.