Parmesan Keto Turkey Meatballs

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These keto turkey meatballs are everything you need in a satisfying meal: they're juicy, flavorful, and packed with protein while being incredibly low in carbs. The addition of a rich parmesan sauce makes them even more indulgent, and the lack of breadcrumbs ensures that they stay gluten-free and keto-approved. They’re easy to make, come together quickly, and are perfect for meal prepping. Plus, they’re sure to please the entire family!

Ingredients

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Meatballs

• 1 pound ground turkey

• 1 large egg

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 2 teaspoons parsley

Parmesan Sauce

• 1 ¾ cups heavy cream

• 1 cup parmesan cheese (cut from the block)

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 1 teaspoon salt (half if using salted butter)

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey with egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley. This mixture will be sticky, so be sure to oil your hands before rolling the meatballs.

3. Roll the mixture into meatballs that are about the size of a quarter. You should have about 15 meatballs.

4. In a skillet over medium-high heat, add oil and cook the meatballs for about 2-3 minutes on each side to brown them. Don't overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. The goal is to get some color on the meatballs, not to cook them through.

5. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Add butter, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Allow the sauce to simmer gently. If the sauce isn't thickening, see the notes below for tips.

6. Once the sauce has thickened, return the meatballs to the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.

7. Remove the skillet from the oven and garnish with additional parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve and enjoy!

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 4

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 20 minutes

• Total Time: 30 minutes

Variations

• Meat Substitute: You can use ground chicken or beef instead of turkey if you prefer.

• Herbs: Experiment with different herbs like thyme, basil, or oregano to vary the flavor of the meatballs.

• Cheese Options: If you don’t have parmesan, you can substitute with another cheese like mozzarella or asiago for a different flavor.

• Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes to the sauce or meatball mixture if you like a bit of heat.

Storage/Reheating

These meatballs store well in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. To reheat, simply warm them up on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave. While this recipe isn’t ideal for freezing, you can store leftovers in the fridge and enjoy them for a few days.

FAQs

Do turkey meatballs have carbs?

Typically, turkey meatballs are made with breadcrumbs, which adds carbs. However, in this keto version, there are no breadcrumbs, making them very low in carbs. This recipe contains just 4g of net carbs per serving.

Are meatballs OK on keto?

Absolutely! Meatballs can be part of a keto diet as long as they’re made without breadcrumbs or other high-carb ingredients. This recipe ensures your meatballs stay keto-friendly while still being delicious and filling.

Is turkey good for the keto diet?

Turkey is a lean meat, which is great for those looking to keep their calorie intake low. While fattier meats are more common in keto diets, you can still enjoy turkey by adding high-fat ingredients like butter and cream to the dish, as seen in this recipe.

Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes, you can use ground chicken, pork, or beef instead of turkey for this recipe. Each will bring its own flavor profile, but they will all work well with the parmesan sauce.

How do I get the sauce to thicken?

If the sauce doesn’t thicken, ensure you’re using fresh parmesan cheese. The pre-grated versions often contain anti-caking agents that can affect the sauce's consistency. Add the cheese in small amounts to ensure it melts properly.

Can I freeze these meatballs?

It’s not recommended to freeze this dish because of the dairy-based sauce. The cream and cheese might separate when thawed, leading to a less-than-ideal texture. However, the meatballs themselves can be frozen, and you can prepare the sauce fresh when reheating.

How can I make these meatballs spicier?

To add some spice, try incorporating red pepper flakes into the meatball mixture or the sauce. You can also add a bit of cayenne pepper for an extra kick.

Can I skip the parmesan sauce?

Yes, if you’re not a fan of the creamy sauce, you can serve the meatballs with a simple marinara sauce or enjoy them on their own with a side of veggies.

What can I serve these meatballs with?

These meatballs pair wonderfully with keto-friendly sides like mashed cauliflower, zucchini noodles, or roasted brussels sprouts. They also go great with a fresh salad or keto fries.

How do I ensure my meatballs don’t dry out?

The key to juicy meatballs is not overcooking them. You want to brown them lightly on the stovetop and then bake them in the oven to finish cooking. Adding the creamy parmesan sauce helps keep them moist too.

Conclusion

These Parmesan Keto Turkey Meatballs are a perfect addition to your keto meal plan. They’re easy to make, bursting with flavor, and completely low-carb. Whether you're following a keto diet or just looking for a healthier dinner option, these meatballs won’t disappoint. Enjoy them with your favorite sides or on their own for a satisfying meal!

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Parmesan Keto Turkey Meatballs

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These Parmesan Keto Turkey Meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and a perfect low-carb meal that fits into your keto diet. Made with ground turkey and seasoned with garlic and herbs, these meatballs are baked in a rich, creamy parmesan sauce, offering a gluten-free and keto-approved comfort dish. With just 4g of net carbs per serving, they make for a satisfying and indulgent dinner option!

• Author: Janet
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking, Pan-frying
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Meatballs:

1 pound ground turkey

1 large egg

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 teaspoons parsley

Parmesan Sauce:

1 ¾ cups heavy cream

1 cup parmesan cheese (cut from the block)

4 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon salt (half if using salted butter)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

• In a large bowl, combine ground turkey with egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley. This mixture will be sticky, so oil your hands before rolling the meatballs.

• Roll the mixture into quarter-sized meatballs (about 15 meatballs).

• In a skillet over medium-high heat, add oil and cook the meatballs for 2-3 minutes on each side to brown. Avoid overcrowding the pan, and cook in batches if necessary.

• Once browned, remove the meatballs and lower the heat to low. Add butter, heavy cream, parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Let it simmer.

• Once the sauce thickens, return the meatballs to the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until cooked through.

• Remove the skillet, garnish with extra parmesan and parsley. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

• Herbs: Try thyme, basil, or oregano for variation.

• Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce for some heat.

• Storage/Reheating: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave.

• Freezing: Freezing the dish is not recommended due to the dairy-based sauce. However, the meatballs can be frozen and the sauce prepared fresh when reheating.