Easy Cheesy Keto Meatball Casserole
An easy-to-make, healthy and delicious low-carb meatball casserole, perfect for a keto-friendly dinner!
Equipment
- 9x13-inch Casserole Dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Large cookie scoop (optional)
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey (or your choice of ground meat)
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or hot)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for meatballs)
- ⅓ cup grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 medium zucchini shredded (about 1 cup)
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
- 2 teaspoons dried minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons dried basil (or Italian seasoning blend)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- pinch black pepper
For the Casserole
- 1 cup marinara sauce (ensure it has no added sugar)
- 8 ounces shredded cheese (like mozzarella or a pizza blend, for topping)
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Get Ready to Bake: Preheat your oven to a cozy 400°F (200°C). Lightly mist a 9x13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray – this makes cleanup a breeze!
- Craft Your Meatballs: In a roomy mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, Italian sausage, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, that sneaky shredded zucchini, egg, dried minced onion, dried minced garlic, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly with your hands or a spatula until it's well combined.
- Form and First Bake: Using a large cookie scoop or your hands, shape the mixture into about 24 meatballs. Arrange them neatly in your prepared casserole dish. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and start to turn a lovely golden brown.
- Drain and Top: Carefully take the dish out of the oven. Gently pour off any excess cooking liquid to prevent your casserole from becoming watery. Now, pour your sugar-free marinara sauce evenly over the meatballs, followed by a generous sprinkle of the remaining 8 ounces of shredded cheese.
- Final Melt and Golden Finish: Return the casserole to the oven for another 10-15 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt into a bubbly, golden layer. For an extra special golden-brown topping, you can briefly broil the casserole for 3-4 minutes – just keep a very close eye on it so it doesn't burn!
- Serve with Joy: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. It's a perfect, easy-to-make healthy meal for any night!
Notes
This casserole is a fantastic low-carb, keto-friendly option for a hearty meal. The recipe calls for marinara sauce with no added sugar to keep it keto-compliant. Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 382
- Total Carbs: 5g
- Net Carbs: 4g
- Fats: 24g
- Protein: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
