Ready in just 30 minutes, this authentic Italian meatballs recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite. These tender, juicy meatballs are simmered in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce that brings true comfort to the dinner table.
Whether you’re serving them over low-carb noodles, zucchini spirals, or enjoying them straight from the pan, this recipe is a quick yet delicious solution for busy weeknights or cozy weekend meals. Moist, perfectly seasoned, and irresistibly saucy, these Italian meatballs will have everyone asking for seconds!
This classic Italian meatball recipe is a true crowd-pleaser that brings the cozy charm of a traditional Italian trattoria right to your kitchen. Made with naturally low-carb ingredients and just 10 minutes of prep time, it’s an incredibly easy and satisfying dish that pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes to create a complete, comforting meal for the whole family.
We love meatballs for their versatility and endless customization options. Whether you’re serving them over zucchini noodles, with a side of cauliflower mash, or simply enjoying them on their own, they work for any occasion—from weeknight dinners to dinner parties. For this recipe, we used ground beef for a rich, classic flavor, but feel free to try it with ground turkey, chicken, or even a blend for your own twist on this timeless favorite.
- 1 What Are Italian Meatballs?
- 2 Why You’re Going to Love This Italian Meatballs Recipe
- 3 Ingredients for Italian Meatballs Recipe
- 4 How To Make This Italian Meatballs Recipe
- 5 Tips and Variations for the Best Italian Meatballs
- 6 How To Store
- 7 Italian Meatballs Recipe Serving Ideas
- 8 Can I Make Italian Meatballs Ahead Of Time?
- 9 More Meatballs Recipes
- 10 Italian Meatballs Recipe
What Are Italian Meatballs?
Italian meatballs, or polpette, are a beloved traditional dish made from a flavorful blend of ground meat—often a mix of beef, pork, and sometimes veal—combined with breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, herbs, and seasonings. Unlike the American-style version often served over spaghetti, authentic Italian meatballs are typically smaller, more delicate, and far more versatile.
In Italy, meatballs aren’t usually paired with pasta. Instead, they’re often served as a standalone second course (secondo piatto), sometimes simmered in tomato sauce, or served alongside sautéed vegetables, salad, or crusty bread.
Though many associate meatballs with “spaghetti and meatballs” from Italian-American cuisine, traditional Italian meatballs are often enjoyed without pasta, allowing their rich flavor and tender texture to shine.
Why You’re Going to Love This Italian Meatballs Recipe
These homemade Italian meatballs are flavorful, juicy, and incredibly easy to make—perfect for both quick weeknight meals and special occasions. Here’s why this recipe is going to be a staple in your kitchen:
- Quick and Easy – Ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you need something hearty and satisfying in a hurry.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – These meatballs store and freeze beautifully. Prep a batch ahead of time and simply reheat for stress-free dinners throughout the week.
- Super Versatile – Serve them over zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, in lettuce wraps, or enjoy them solo with a spoonful of marinara sauce. Great for lunch or dinner.
- Budget-Friendly – Made with simple, affordable pantry staples like ground meat, eggs, herbs, and keto breadcrumbs—this recipe is high in flavor and easy on the wallet.
- Customizable to Your Taste – Add your favorite spices like red pepper flakes, basil, oregano, or grated Parmesan to tailor the flavor to your liking.
- Family & Crowd Approved – A guaranteed hit at family dinners, potlucks, parties, or game day gatherings. Everyone will be asking for the recipe.
- Keto & Low-Carb Friendly – Made with almond flour or crushed pork rinds instead of traditional breadcrumbs, these meatballs are perfect for low-carb and gluten-free lifestyles.
- Naturally Gluten-Free – No need for specialty ingredients—just real, whole food components that come together into something truly satisfying.
Ingredients for Italian Meatballs Recipe
These homemade Italian meatballs are packed with flavor and made with simple, keto-friendly ingredients. Here’s everything you’ll need to make both the meatballs and the rich tomato sauce they simmer in:
For The Meatballs
- Ground Beef – Use 80–85% lean ground beef for the perfect balance of juiciness and flavor without being too greasy.
- Egg – Acts as a binder to help hold the meatballs together during cooking.
- Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan adds savory depth. Skip the pre-shredded stuff for the best texture and flavor.
- Keto Breadcrumbs – Use homemade keto breadcrumbs (like crushed pork rinds or almond flour) to keep the recipe low-carb and gluten-free. Avoid store-bought breadcrumbs, which often contain hidden carbs.
- Onion – Finely chopped for added moisture, mild sweetness, and texture.
- Garlic – Freshly minced garlic adds bold, aromatic flavor. You can substitute with garlic powder if needed.
- Parsley – Use chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Dried parsley works in a pinch.
- Salt and pepper – Essential seasonings to bring out all the flavors in the meat mixture.
- Olive Oil and Butter – Used for frying the meatballs—olive oil adds heart-healthy richness while butter adds golden color and extra flavor.
For The Meatballs Sauce
- Olive Oil – Used to sauté the aromatics and add depth to the sauce. You can also use avocado oil or another neutral oil if preferred.
- Onion and garlic – A must for building a flavorful, savory base. Sauté until soft and fragrant for best results.
- Dried Oregano and Basil – Classic Italian herbs that deliver authentic Mediterranean flavor to your sauce.
- Tomato Sauce – Choose a sugar-free tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes with clean ingredients to keep it keto-friendly.
- Salt & Pepper – Season the sauce to taste, adjusting as it simmers for a rich and balanced flavor.
How To Make This Italian Meatballs Recipe
You will love this delicious chicken recipe once you see how easy it’ to prepare in just a few minutes. Here is everything you have to do:
Prepare the Meatballs Mixture
Add the ground beef, eggs, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper to a large mixing bowl and mix using a silicone spatula or your hands until everything is well combined.
Form The Meatballs
Form the meatballs into small balls the size of golf balls using an ice cream scoop.
Cook The Meatballs
Add the olive oil and butter to a large skillet over medium heat, and once melted, add the meatballs and cook them for about 5 minutes on each side.
Transfer the meatballs to a plate and set aside.
Make The Marinara Sauce
Add the olive oil to the same skillet and cook the onion and garlic until fragrant.
Add the tomato sauce over the aromatics together with the oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
Bring the sauce to a simmer, then return the meatballs to the pan and cook for 5 more minutes.
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and enjoy.
Tips and Variations for the Best Italian Meatballs
Whether you’re making these meatballs for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, these tips and variations will help you get the best results and inspire creative ways to serve them:
- Uniform Size: Ensure that all meatballs are roughly the same size so they cook evenly. An ice cream scoop can help achieve consistent sizing.
- Baking Option: Instead of pan-frying meatballs, you can bake meatballs in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes or until they’re cooked through. This method reduces the amount of oil needed and offers a more even cooking.
- Mixing the Meat: Use your hands to mix the ingredients for a more even distribution, but don’t overmix.
- Sauces: While marinara is classic, try other sauces like creamy Alfredo, pesto, or even a spicy arrabbiata for a change.
- Cheese Inside: Place a small cube of mozzarella or another cheese in the center of each meatball for a cheesy, melty surprise when bitten into.
How To Store
- Fridge – You can store these Italian meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer – You can also freeze these Italian meatballs in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Reheating
- Refrigerated Meatballs: Reheat them in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through. You can add a bit of water or sauce if necessary to prevent sticking or drying out.
- Frozen Meatballs: If they’re frozen without sauce, you can thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat in a saucepan. If you’re reheating meatballs in sauce from frozen, you can do so directly in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Italian Meatballs Recipe Serving Ideas
A great thing about this recipe is that you can serve this chicken meatball alfredo with many side dishes to enjoy a complete meal. Here are some great ideas:
Can I Make Italian Meatballs Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely! Making Italian meatballs ahead of time can actually be advantageous, as flavors often meld and develop even more when allowed to sit. Here’s how to do it:
- Raw Meatballs: After you’ve shaped them, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until firm. Once frozen, transfer them to a resealable freezer bag and store in the freezer. When you’re ready to cook, you can either thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or cook them from frozen, adjusting the cooking time accordingly.
- Cooked Meatballs (Without Sauce): Once they are cooked, let them cool to room temperature. Place them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Meatballs in Sauce: If you’ve cooked your meatballs in sauce, let the mixture cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors will meld and often become even more delicious over time. For longer storage, freeze the meatballs and sauce for up to 3 months.
More Meatballs Recipes
Italian Meatballs Recipe
Description
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 2 eggs large
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef lean
- ½ cup keto breadcrumbs or almond flour
- 1 yellow onion medium, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp parsley fresh, chopped
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter unsalted
For the marinara sauce:
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra-virgin
- 1 yellow onion medium
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparing the Meatballs:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, ground beef, keto breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, and salt. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Using an ice cream scoop or your hands, shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and butter. Once melted and hot, add the meatballs.
- Cook the meatballs for about 5 minutes on each side or until they’re browned. Once browned, transfer them to a plate and set aside.
Making the Marinara Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add the extra-virgin olive oil. Once hot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, then sprinkle in the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Allow the sauce to come to a simmer. Once simmering, return the browned meatballs to the skillet.
- Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for about 10-20 minutes to ensure they’re cooked through and to let the flavors meld.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Serving:
- Garnish the meatballs and sauce with additional chopped parsley.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.