Irresistibly Creamy Tuscan Low Carb Meatballs Recipe
A luscious and creamy low-carb Tuscan meatball recipe featuring tender ground beef or turkey simmered in a rich Parmesan and spinach cream sauce, perfect for a comforting yet healthy meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tuscan
- Diet: Low Carb
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound Ground Beef or Turkey (Choose your preference for a juicy texture.)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (Fresh garlic can be substituted for extra zest.)
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder (Adjust to taste for a milder flavor.)
- 1/2 cup Almond Flour (Coconut flour can be used as a substitute.)
- 1 large Egg (For an egg-free option, try unsweetened applesauce.)
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning (Feel free to mix your spices for variety.)
Sauce
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (Half-and-half can be a lighter alternative.)
- 1 cup Chicken Broth (Vegetable broth can be used for a vegetarian option.)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (Nutritional yeast can substitute for dairy-free diets.)
- 2 cups Spinach (Kale or other greens can be substituted.)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil (Dried basil can be used in a pinch but use about one-third of the amount.)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey, garlic powder, onion powder, almond flour, egg, and Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are fully incorporated and you have a smooth, even mixture.
- Form the Meatballs: Using your hands, shape the mixture into meatballs about the size of golf balls, ensuring they are compact enough to hold together during cooking.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a touch of oil to prevent sticking. Place the meatballs in the skillet and cook, turning occasionally, until they are browned evenly on all sides, roughly 8 to 10 minutes.
- Make the Creamy Tuscan Sauce: Lower the heat to low and pour the heavy cream and chicken broth into the same skillet, stirring well to combine with the meat drippings. Once blended, add the Parmesan cheese, spinach, and fresh basil. Cook the sauce until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Gently transfer the browned meatballs back into the skillet with the sauce. Let them simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the meatballs to heat through.
- Serve: Serve the creamy Tuscan meatballs hot over cauliflower rice or your favorite low-carb base for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Substitute fresh garlic for garlic powder for a more robust flavor.
- Use coconut flour instead of almond flour to vary texture and flavor.
- Half-and-half can be used instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
- Vegetable broth can replace chicken broth to make the dish vegetarian-friendly.
- For dairy-free diets, replace Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.
- Spinach can be swapped with kale or other leafy greens to change the flavor profile.
- Dried basil can replace fresh basil; use one-third of the fresh amount.
- Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a complete low-carb meal.
Keywords: Tuscan meatballs, low carb meatballs, creamy meatballs, Parmesan meatballs, spinach sauce, healthy dinner, keto-friendly, low carb dinner
