• Recipe Box
    • All Recipes
    • Low Carb & Keto
    • Whole30
    • Paleo
    • 30 Minutes or Less
    • Ninja Foodi
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Copycat Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Desserts
    • Side Dish Recipes
    • Drinks
    • Dips, Salad Dressings & Sauces
    • Web Stories
  • Cooking Tips
  • About
    • Work With Dr. Davinah’s Eats
    • Contact
  • Keto Blog
    • Product Reviews & Guides
    • Recipe Collections
    • Keto Guide for Dummies: A Introduction to Keto
    • Get Exclusive Discounts
    • 360 Cookware
    • Amazon Favorites
    • Shop

↑

Dr. Davinah's Eats

Keto, Low Carb & Air Fryer Recipes for Foodies

  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Cast Iron Skillet Recipes
    • Cauliflower Recipes
    • Chicken Recipes
      • Chicken Breast Recipes
      • Chicken Leg Recipes
      • Chicken Thigh Recipes
      • Chicken Wing Recipes
    • Copycat Recipes
    • Sauce Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Five Ingredient Recipes or Less
    • Keto & Low Carb Recipes
      • 30 Minutes or Less
      • Dessert Recipes
      • Pizza Recipes
      • Breakfast Recipes
      • Game Day Recipes
      • Lunch & Dinner Recipes
      • Drink Recipes
    • Holiday Recipes
      • Christmas Recipes
      • Thanksgiving Recipes
    • Spice Mixes & Blends
    • Ninja Foodi Recipes
    • Paleo Recipes
    • Pork Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
      • Salmon Recipes
      • Scallops Recipes
      • Shrimp Recipes
    • Side Dish Recipes
    • Whole30 Recipes
    • Web Stories
  • Keto Blog
    • Product Reviews & Guides
    • Recipe Meal Idea Lists
  • Shop
    • Exclusive Coupon Codes
    • 360 Cookware
    • Amazon Shop
  • Cooking Tips
  • About
    • Work with Us
    • Contact Us
Home » Healthy Recipes » Easy Keto Italian Sausage Meatballs Recipe [+VIDEO]

Easy Keto Italian Sausage Meatballs Recipe [+VIDEO]

Last Updated February 4, 2022. Published April 30, 2020 By Davinah Cenou Montezuma

2.9K shares
  • Share1.2K
Jump to Recipe
pinterest image for Keto Sausage Meatballs
pinterest image for Keto Meatballs

This post may contain affiliate links to products I use and highly recommend. You can read my full disclosure .

Meatballs are classic comfort food. And, while you might think that most are low-carb, unfortunately, they aren’t. In fact, they are typically loaded with breadcrumbs and some even have added sugar. In this easy keto Italian sausage meatball recipe, I get rid of grains and ditch the added sugar. To keep this super easy and perfect for even beginner cooks, I get most of the flavor from Italian sausage that I picked up at the store. Includes Ninja Foodi and skillet directions.

Keto Italian Sausage Meatballs in a bowl

Why share this Keto Meatballs recipe?

If you have busy weeknights or activity-filled weekends, you need a recipe that you can throw together quickly. My Italian sausage meatballs are just that.

Quick and easy, they are the perfect home-cooked meal for busy folks and those who want to meal prep. 

Besides being easy, they are one of several keto remakes to Italian food that gives all of the bold flavors without the carbs.

Ingredients in Italian Sausage Meat balls

You likely already have many of the ingredients for this recipe on hand in your keto pantry. To make this, you’ll need to gather, Italian Sausage with the casing removed, almond flour, a large egg, heavy cream, grated parmesan, your favorite no sugar added keto tomato sauce, and spices.

The exact amounts of ingredients can be found in the recipe card. If you don’t have some, you can click on the underlined ingredients the recipe card to buy them.

Substitutions for Italian Sausage Meat

Italian sausage is very popular, which means there are several variations to choose from. To start, you can choose hot or mild/sweet. Be sure to read your labels to ensure that your version doesn’t have a sugar-filled spice mix. 

If you don’t eat pork, don’t fret, you also use other Italian-flavored meats. In most markets, you should be able to find ground turkey or chicken sausage meat.

Most times, you can find these in the meat display at the supermarket. But, if not, you can get sausage links from your market’s butcher department. In both cases, you just need to remove the casing.

Keto Substitutes for Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs are the typical binding agent in meatballs, which are not keto-friendly or low-carb. For my recipe, I use almond flour in place of breadcrumbs. 

I find that almond flour is one of the best substitutes. I’ve tried coconut flour, but that generally makes meatballs and other dishes dry. That’s not what we want for our meatballs.

If you prefer, you can also try using pork rind breadcrumbs. Just make sure that you get the unseasoned variety.

How to Make Keto Italian Sausage Meatballs

Blend the Seasonings and Sausage Meat

Keto Italian sausage meatballs are easy to make and usually take me less than 5 minutes to prepare. To start, mix the spices, almond flour, heavy cream, and egg in a medium to a large bowl. Once the ingredients are well combined, add in the sausage meat and mix it all together.

Form Meatballs

When the Italian sausage meat and other ingredients are thoroughly mixed together, form them into 18-20 meatballs. To do this, take a scoop out of the mixture using either a large spoon or ice cream scoop. Roll the meat into a ball shape and set aside. I cook them after all of the balls are formed.

Sear the Meatballs in the Ninja Foodi or a skillet

Once all of the meatballs are formed, it’s time to brown them on the top and bottom.

If you’re using the Ninja Foodi, like I am, all you need to do is turn on the “Sear/Sautee” mode on “high.” Sear the top and bottom of the meatballs for 5 minutes. When both sides are seared, pour in the sauce. Let the sauce come to a simmer and simmer the sauce and meatballs for 15 minutes. 

If you are not using a Ninja Foodi, you can use a large deep pan instead. The steps are very similar. Heat the large pan on medium-high heat. Sear both sides for about 5 minutes per side. Then add the sauce and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

Keto Meatballs in the Ninja Foodi pot

How to Make Sausage Meatballs in the oven

If you prefer, you can make these Italian sausage meatballs in the oven. I don’t like to do this because it means not having a one-pot meal. But, if you prefer to bake them, here is how to do it.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees while you get the meatballs prepared. Place the formed meatballs onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Leave a little space between the meatballs so they can cook evenly.

Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. As they are cooking, use a medium-sized pot to heat up the sauce on the stovetop. This can be done at medium-low to medium heat. When the meatballs have cooked, you can add them to the sauce in the pot or plate the meatballs and pour or spoon the sauce over the meatballs.

What to Serve with this Keto Meatballs recipe

You might think that meatballs only go with spaghetti or on a sandwich. But in truth, they can go with a lot of different things and are great to eat on their own. Here are some of my favorite pairing options for these Italian sausage meatballs:

  • Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic Recipe
  • Air Fryer Eggplant
  • Easy Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles)
  • Easy Keto Parmesan Garlic Bread Bites

If you enjoy Italian Sausage, generally, make Italian Sausage and Peppers in the air fryer or you can also use it in my Keto Pizza Casserole.

An easy variation to this recipe would be to swap tomato basil sauce for my easy keto alfredo sauce.

Keto Meatballs in a bowl

Keto Italian Sausage Meatballs Recipe

These Keto Italian Sausage Meatballs are loaded with bold flavors and can be yours with one pot and 30 minutes. It's the perfect way to satisfy your meatball cravings while omitting the added carbs from breadcrumbs.
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Ready in: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Course: Main Course
Servings: 8
Calories: 449kcal
Author: Davinah
Pin Rate Print

Use DRDAVINAHS at checkout to save on some equipment & ingredients!

Ingredients

  • 28 oz Italian Sausage, casing removed, mild or hot
  • 1/4 cup Almond Flour
  • 1 large Eggs, beaten
  • 1/4 cup Organic Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 1 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Dried Parsley
  • 3 tbsp grated parmesan
  • 25 oz Tomato Basil Sauce, Check the label to ensure no added sugar

Instructions

  • Add the spices, almond flour, heavy cream, and egg to a bowl and mix to incorporate
  • Add the sausage meat and incorporate it
  • Form 18-20 meatballs by scooping the meat with a large spoon or ice cream scoop
  • Sear the meatballs for 5 minutes in the Ninja Foodi cooking pot using the "Sear/Saute" function on High. You can also add the meatballs to a large pan.
  • Flip the meatballs and sear them for another 5 minutes.
  • Add the tomato basil sauce to the pot. Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for 15 minutes

Nutrition Details

Calories: 449kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 1042mg | Potassium: 526mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 54IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutrition facts come from entering the recipe ingredients into Spoonacular API, a database of food ingredients. They may vary for any recipe based on the exact product used. The keto sweeteners I use have 0g net carbs & are not included because sugar alcohols do not impact most people. This is provided as a courtesy, but you can do your own calculations if you wish!

Share this RecipeIf you enjoy this recipe, share a link to it via email or Facebook, pin it, or leave a rating. Please don’t copy/paste the instructions to other websites. Thanks for helping the website grow!
pinterest image for Keto Sausage Meatballs

Related Posts

  • A glass of Mixed Berry Smoothie
    Keto Mixed Berry Smoothie Recipe
  • two keto mudslides in tall glasses
    Keto Frozen Mudslide Recipe
  • keto raspberry sauce in a jar
    Keto Raspberry Sauce Recipe
  • keto guacamole in a bowl
    Best Keto Guacamole Recipe

Filed Under: Easy Keto Recipes: 30 Minutes or Less, Healthy Recipes, Keto Appetizer Recipes, Keto Dinner Recipes, Keto Recipes, Ninja Foodi Recipes

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

close up photo of Davinah - the blogger behind Dr. Davinah\'s Eats welcome text that reads, \"I\'m Davinah\" I'm an educator & hardcore foodie who realized eating "all the things" couldn’t last forever. After getting my PhD in Education, I decided to make eating healthier my next big goal. Here, you'll find my collection of keto, low-carb and whole food comfort food recipes. Read More

Search this Website

Free Keto & Low Carb Recipes Delivered Weekly!

Subscribe for amazing recipes, giveaways, discounts and more.

Holiday Favorites

cabbage cooked in a crockpot

Easy Crockpot Cabbage Recipe

getting a slice of strawberry cheesecake

Best Keto Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe

close up of slow cooker turkey tenderloin recipe on a plate with gravy

Crockpot Turkey Tenderloin

Keto Stuffed French Toast topped with blueberries and maple syrup

Healthy Stuffed French Toast with Cream Cheese

a close up of surf and turf with steak and shrimp scampi on a plate

Surf and Turf (Steak & Shrimp) Recipe [+ Video]

close-up shot of Turkey Tenderloin

Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin [+VIDEO]

Most Popular Recipes

two air fryer salmon filets on a plate topped with garlic butter

Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Herbed Salmon Recipe

crispy air fryer whole chicken wings and sauce on a plate

Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe [+VIDEO]

air fryer chicken legs recipe on a plate

Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks) [+VIDEO]

pan seared scallops in a bowl with cauliflower risotto

Seared Scallops and Cauliflower Rice Risotto

a close-up photo of a garlic parmesan wing on a plate

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings [+VIDEO]

keto coleslaw in a bowl with a fork

Easy Low Carb & Keto Coleslaw Recipe [+VIDEO]

a close-up of Keto Bang Bang shrimp in a bowl

Low-Carb Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe (Grain-free, No-Added Sugar)

Shrimp Scampi on a white oblong plate

Keto Garlic Shrimp Scampi Recipe [+VIDEO]

close-up of Pressure Cooker Pot Roast in a bowl

Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Pot Roast Recipe

Menu Planning Ideas

  • Chicken Recipes
  • 30 Minutes or Less
  • Side Dishes
Close up of a roast chicken on a plate with a lemon slice

Air Fryer Roasted Whole Chicken [4 Ingredients]

air fried chicken sausage on a cutting board

Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Sausages

crispy baked chicken wings on a parchment lined baking sheet

Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Wings Recipe [+VIDEO]

frozen wings cooked in an air fryer on a plate with celery and bbq sauce

Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings

A plate of baked wings, celery, carrots, and a ramekin of ranch dressing.

Spicy Dry Rub Chicken Wings Recipe [+Video]

A stack of chicken kabob skewers on a blue serving dish.

Easy Indoor Grill Chicken Kababs

brats sausage on a plate

Air Fryer Brats [+VIDEO]

a close-up of hard boiled eggs on a plate topped with chives and everything bagel seasoning

Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs

Cast Iron Skillet Pork Chops Recipe on a plate

The Best Keto Pork Chops Cast Iron Skillet Recipe

Salmon Steak Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe

Baked Salmon Steak Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe

cabbage in a pressure cooker cooking pot

Instant Pot Cabbage Recipe [+VIDEO]

air fryer mushrooms with roasted garlic butter sauce and roasted garlic

Air Fryer Mushrooms

close up of browned air fryer sausage patties on a plate

Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage Patties [+Video]

cabbage cooked in a crockpot

Easy Crockpot Cabbage Recipe

roasted butternut squash in the air fryer

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Featured on:

list of magazines and online blogs that feature Dr. Davinah\'s Eats recipes

@DrDavinahs Follow On Instagram

Free Keto & Low Carb Recipes Delivered Weekly!

Subscribe for amazing recipes, giveaways, discounts and more.

By using this website, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Disclosures

Browse by Category

Recipes by Course

  • Recipe Index
  • Breakfast
  • Main Course
  • Side Dish Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Drinks
  • Dip, Salad Dressing & Sauces

Recipes by Diet

  • Keto & Low-Carb Recipes
  • Paleo Recipes
  • Whole30 Recipes

About Davinah Policies Work With Us

Search this Website

Copyright ©2023, Dr. Davinah's Eats. All Rights Reserved.
Design by Pixel Me Designs
  • Pin
  • 1.2KShare