This filling and delicious Keto Meatball Casserole is packed with homemade meatballs, pasta sauce, and mozzarella cheese. It comes together in minutes and is perfect to share with the whole family.
If you're craving more tasty casserole recipes, then be sure to try making a Chicken and Broccoli Casserole and Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole. For another recipe using homemade meatballs, try making a Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to share this recipe on the blog or not. It has made a frequent appearance on my dinner menu over the past few months. It's so delicious, loaded with flavor, and completely filling.
For this meatball casserole, I used my recipe for homemade pasta sauce which cooks up in minutes. The pasta sauce requires a pinch of sugar and you can omit it or use stevia instead. I have done both with no problem. If you prefer to use pasta sauce from a jar, then that is totally fine as well.
The recipe requires homemade meatballs, but no worries as they are baked in the oven using the same dish that you will use to make the casserole.
Let's get started!
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Ingredients You'll Need
To make this meatball casserole you will need a few basic ingredients.
- Low Carb Meatballs - This casserole recipe requires homemade meatballs, but no worries as they come together easily and are baked in the same dish as the casserole. All you will need is ground beef, mozzarella cheese, grated parmesan, chopped onion, an egg, and a few spices.
- Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce - For a simple sauce, try making my recipe for Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce. However, to keep things simple, you may also use your favorite jar sauce instead. Any brand from your local grocery store that you prefer or have on hand in your kitchen is fine.
- Mozzarella Cheese - Use shredded mozzarella cheese to top the casserole and make it cheesy and delicious. If you prefer to use a different type of shredded cheese like cheddar or a blend of cheese, then it should work perfectly fine.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.
Step By Step Instructions
Begin the recipe by preheating the oven to 400 degrees F.
The casserole recipe begins by making low-carb meatballs. Add the ground beef, mozzarella, parmesan cheese, egg, chopped onion, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and ground black pepper to a large mixing bowl.
Stir together using a large wooden spoon or clean or gloved hands until all of the ingredients are combined and the meat mixture sticks together to form a large ball.
Using a scoop or clean hands, form the meatballs in any size that you prefer. Place the meatballs in an 8x8-inch square casserole dish leaving a small amount of space between each meatball. Basically, make sure they are not touching each other or the sides of the baking dish. They will shrink in size as they bake, this is normal.
Place the meatballs into the preheated oven and bake at 400 degrees F. for about 15 to 20 minutes depending on the size of your meatballs.
Carefully remove the meatballs from the oven and drain off the excess fat. It may be easier to use a slotted spoon and remove the meatballs and place them in a small bowl or dish for a moment.
Fully drain the dish of any fat and evenly coat the bottom of the dish with half of the pasta sauce. Place the meatballs evenly on top of the sauce.
Top the meatballs with the other half of the pasta sauce that is left. Make sure each individual meatball is covered in the pasta sauce. Use a spoon to spread it out evenly.
Top the low carb meatball casserole evenly with the shredded mozzarella cheese, and spread it out in an even layer.
Place into the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve warm on top of your favorite pasta or with a side of your favorite vegetable. If using this as a family meal, I usually serve mine over zucchini noodles and the rest of the family over spaghetti noodles. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Try not to overbake the casserole, check it during the baking process and adjust the cooking time as needed.
- Use any beef that you prefer or feel free to substitute ground turkey or ground chicken.
- This recipe makes enough for about nine medium size meatballs. I use an ice cream scoop to try to get them all the same size so they cook evenly.
- Shed the mozzarella cheese yourself because it melts the best. Much better than the shredded cheese in a bag.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve again reheat in the oven on low heat, on the stovetop in a saucepan, or in the microwave.
Make Ahead - This casserole can be made/assembled and stored in the refrigerator 1 to 2 days in advance.
Freezing - The unbaked casserole can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Cover the casserole tightly in a double layer of aluminum foil before storing it in the freezer. When ready to serve, remove the casserole from the freezer and place it into the refrigerator overnight to allow it to thaw. Bake per instructions, but keep in mind that 10 to 15 additional minutes of cook time may be needed.
More Recipes You'll Love
- Spaghetti and Meatball Recipe
- Meatball Sub Sandwich
- Almond Coconut Flour Bread
- Easy Pizza Bowls
- Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce
- Keto Ranch Dressing
- Keto Chocolate Fat Bombs
Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways and ideas to serve this Meatball Casserole Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!
Recipe
Keto Meatball Casserole
Equipment
- 1 8x8-inch square baking dish
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 24 ounces pasta sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. and grab an 8x8-inch baking dish.
- To a large mixing bowl, add the 1 pound ground beef, ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese , ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, ½ cup chopped onion, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
- Using a large wooden spoon or clean/gloved hands, mix all of the ingredients together until they stick together to form a large ball.
- Using a medium scoop or clean/gloved hand, form the meatballs any size that you like. Place the meatballs in a casserole dish leaving a small amount of space between each meatball. Basically, make sure they are not touching each other. They will shrink in size while baking.
- Place the meatballs into the oven to bake for about 15 to 20 minutes depending on the size of your meatballs.
- Carefully remove the meatballs from the oven and drain off the excess fat. It may be easier to use a slotted spoon and remove the meatballs and place them in a separate bowl. Completely drain the dish of any fat and evenly coat the bottom of the dish with 12 ounces of pasta sauce.
- Place the meatballs evenly on top of the sauce. Top the meatballs with the rest of the leftover 12 ounces of pasta sauce. Make sure each individual meatball is covered in the pasta sauce. Use a spoon to spread it evenly.
- Top the meatball casserole with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese spread out in an even layer. Place into the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Serve warm on top of your favorite pasta or with a side of your favorite vegetable. Enjoy!
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Try not to overbake the casserole, check it during the baking process and adjust the cooking time as needed.
- Use any beef that you prefer or feel free to substitute ground turkey or ground chicken.
- This recipe makes enough for about nine medium size meatballs. I use an ice cream scoop to try to get them all the same size so they cook evenly.
- Shed the mozzarella cheese yourself because it melts the best. Much better than the shredded cheese in a bag.
Nutrition
*All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
Original post date 01/15/2020. Updated 03/27/2023.
Evie S
I made this tonight and my oldest boy was visiting and he asked for the recipe! It was that good.
LaKita
Hi Evie! Glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe!
Pat
I was thinking about putting the meatballs on a rack and baking them that way, elevating them from the grease. Doing it this way would seem to make removing them from the pan easier too. Since what I have is 85/15 ground beef, there will certainly be a lot of grease coming out during the baking time. Your thoughts?
Thanks for the easy and interesting recipe.
LaKita
Hi Pat! Cooking them that way will be perfectly fine if you feel that will be easier for you 🙂
Ryan
Would this be ok to freeze?
LaKita
Yes, Ryan it should be perfectly fine to freeze this recipe!
Mik
This turned out delicious! Super easy to make. Next time I will simmer meatballs in marinara sauce so they are a bit more juicy. Thank you! My hubby really liked it!
LaKita
Thank you so much! Happy to hear that you enjoyed the meatball casserole and that it was a success for you 🙂