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    Home » Entrees

    Healthy Baked Italian Meatballs in Sauce

    Beef, Courses, Dairy Free, Entrees, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Popular, Pork, Recipes, Recipes with Video, Whole30 February 14, 2022

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    WW SmartPoints 2

    These Baked Italian Meatballs are tender, flavorful and easy to make. This family friendly recipe is perfect for any night of the week. These Keto, Paleo and Whole30 friendly Italian Meatballs are sure to be a staple in your home!

    *Originally posted 08/2019; updated 06/2020; 2022

    close up shot of a bite taken out of a baked Italian meatball in sauce

    I make these meatballs on a regular basis. They don't require a lot of effort and I can get other things ready while they are baking away in the oven. My kids love them and they are made with ingredients that I feel good about.

    The base for these baked Italian meatballs is ground beef and pork. I always have both in my freezer from ButcherBox. The grass fed ground beef is so flavorful and fresh and the pork adds fat to help keep the meatballs tender.

    step by step process shots of the easy baked Italian meatballs

    You will notice that I don't add any eggs or breadcrumbs. You don't need them! We are making meatballs here, not meatloaf. Adding those in can make your meatballs super dense and heavy. These baked meatballs are tender, light and so flavorful.

    Baked Italian meatballs in a red sauce topped with fresh parsley and served in a white bowl

    Recipe Tips:

    • Make Roasted Spaghetti Squash to go with the meatballs for an easy and healthy meal
    • Use a cookie dough scoop to get equally sized meatballs, this way they will bake evenly
    • Prepare a double batch so you can freeze some for another day - to freeze, let the meatballs cool completely and store in a ziplock bag in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge and cook in the sauce as instructed
    • These Italian meatballs would make a great meatball sub! Top with some mozzarella for the perfect bite
    baked Italian meatball on a fork being held over a bowl of meatballs in sauce

    You Might Also Like:

    • Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Herb Butter
    • Gluten Free Chicken Noodle Soup
    • Whole30 Creole Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
    • Healthy Beef and Vegetable Soup
    • Salisbury Steak Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclaimer. 

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    Easy Baked Italian Meatballs

    Sara
    These Baked Italian Meatballs are tender, flavorful and easy to make. This family friendly recipe is perfect for any night of the week.
    4.97 from 26 votes
    WW SmartPoints 2
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 24 balls
    Calories 105 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb Pork ground
    • 1 lb Beef ground
    • 1 tsp Salt
    • 1 Tbls Italian seasoning
    • ½ Tbls Garlic Powder
    • ½ tsp Pepper Flakes
    • ½ tsp Onion Powder
    • ½ tsp Fennel Seeds
    • 2 cups Marinara Sauce
    • 2 Tbls Fresh Parsley

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400'
    • Combine all the ingredients (except sauce and parsley) in a large bowl and mix well
    • Use cookie dough scoop or spoon to scoop mixture into your hand. Roll into about 18-24 meatballs
    • Place in a baking dish and bake for 20 minutes, remove from the oven and cover with marinara sauce and bake for another 20 minutes or until completely cooked through
      Top with fresh parsley
    • Let cool slightly and serve over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash or gluten free pasta

    Video

    https://thebetteredblondie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/TBB-Easy-Baked-Italian-Meatballs-Rectangle.mp4

    Notes

    Nutrition facts are auto-calculated and can vary based on ingredients and brands used
    WW SmartPoints are based on the Blue Plan and are calculated in the app
    *points per meatball

    Nutrition

    Calories: 105kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 7gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 229mgPotassium: 186mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 209IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword gluten free, keto, paleo, whole30
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thebetteredblondie
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    Comments

    1. Alana

      April 16, 2021 at 7:38 am

      5 stars
      I made this the other night for my family and it was amazing. Would using all pork make a huge difference? I'm trying to use up all the pork in my freezer. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Sara

        April 17, 2021 at 3:54 pm

        Hi Alana, I am so glad to hear you and your family enjoyed them 🙂 I have never made them with just pork, but I don't see it being a problem.

        Reply
    2. Raina

      March 19, 2021 at 3:02 pm

      5 stars
      This is on constant rotation in my house! It’s so good and so easy!! Definitely a favorite!

      Reply
      • Sara

        March 19, 2021 at 3:44 pm

        5 stars
        So happy to hear this!

        Reply
    3. Kimbra Ong

      March 19, 2021 at 2:59 pm

      Following an AIP diet and I can omit the fennel and pepper in the actual meatballs. However, the diet includes no nightshades which would be the sauce. How important is the sauce to the dish?

      Reply
      • Sara

        March 19, 2021 at 3:43 pm

        5 stars
        Hi Kimbra, it depends on how you are serving them. I love to use them as spaghetti and meatballs, so they sauce is important. But they are just as flavorful on their own baked without the sauce.

        Reply
    4. Jess

      February 21, 2021 at 12:49 pm

      Hi! Wondering if would be okay to use all beef. We don’t eat pork. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Sara

        February 22, 2021 at 7:37 am

        5 stars
        Yes, absolutely 🙂 The pork adds fat, so use a ground beef that isn't too lean.

        Reply
    5. Morgan

      January 18, 2021 at 2:04 pm

      Hi! Are these easy to freeze?

      Reply
      • Sara

        January 19, 2021 at 5:30 pm

        5 stars
        I have not frozen them before, but I am sure they would be great for it. Just freeze them without the sauce.

        Reply
    6. Amy

      September 26, 2020 at 8:54 pm

      5 stars
      Made these today for our family dinner this evening! They were a huge hit!! Thank you so much for sharing this incredible recipe!

      Reply
      • Sara

        September 27, 2020 at 11:43 am

        5 stars
        Hi Amy! I am so glad you and your family enjoyed it, thank you for sharing 🙂

        Reply
    7. Tanya Pitre

      March 17, 2019 at 5:49 am

      How many meatballs is 1 serving?

      Reply
      • Sara

        March 17, 2019 at 8:29 am

        5 stars
        The nutrition facts are based off of one meatball, so you can determine how many you want in each serving

        Reply

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    Hi Loves! My name is Sara and I am the woman behind The Bettered Blondie. I have been creating healthy, easy and delicious home cooked meals in my kitchen for over 14 years. I am passionate about helping you make incredible meals that you can feel good about serving your family..

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