Whole30 + Keto Pesto Meatballs
Meatballs made with pesto, then topped with pesto and served on low carb noodles.
Servings: 6
Calories: 1159
Ingredients
Pesto Meatballs
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup pesto
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic grated or finely minced
- 1 pound 85% lean ground beef I get my beef from ButcherBox, here's why it's the best
- 1 pound 80% lean ground pork I get my pork from ButcherBox, here's why it's the best
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Serving
- 3 packages hearts of palm pasta
- 3/4 cup pesto
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425ºF. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil (for easy clean up), and place in a wire rimmed baking rack.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the 3/4 cup almond flour and 1/2 cup pesto. Stir and set aside while it absorbs the liquid.
- Heat a medium size skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil, onions, garlic and a pinch of kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and turning golden brown, about 10-15 minutes.
- In the same large mixing bowl that has the almond flour and pesto, add the cooked onions & garlic, ground beef, ground pork, 2 eggs, dried basil, kosher salt and pepper. Use a potato masher (or your hands) to combine the meatball mixture.
- Use a large cookie scoop (or measure out 3 tablespoons) to scoop out meatballs. Place meatballs on wire baking sheet. Will make 24 meatballs.
- Bake the meatballs in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Removed the baked meatballs from the oven, and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the 3 packages of hearts of palm pasta and 3/4 cup pesto. Warm for 4 minutes.
- Serve the pesto noodles warm topped with meatballs.
- Leftovers will keep in an airtight container refrigerated for at least 5 days, or frozen for at least 6 months.
Video
Notes
Pesto: My favorite pesto is my homemade pesto. I make a ton of jars in the summer with all my garden basil, and freeze it to use throughout the year. It is dairy free and Whole30 friendly! Can use your favorite store bought as well.
Meat: My favorite combo is using 1 pound ground beef and 1 pound ground pork. Gives it the best flavor. You could use all ground beef, or even substitute ground turkey or chicken.
Noodles: These hearts of palm noodles are my favorite! Closest I've found to pasta that are both Whole30 + Keto friendly. I used the spaghetti, but angel hair would work great too! You could also use your favorite noodle or noodle-swap-out, like zucchini noodles!
Dairy: If you're ok with dairy, you can use a pesto with parmesan cheese, and top the finished dish with grated parmesan.
Freezing Instructions: Freeze baked meatballs in a freezer safe airtight container or bag for at least 6 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat in a 350ºF oven for 10-15 minutes until warm. Then warm the noodles in pesto. I don't recommend freezing the noodles. Prefer making the noodles fresh.
Meal Prep Instructions: Store in an airtight container for at least 5 days in the refrigerator. HEATING: Microwave until warm, about 3-5 minutes (I like to sprinkle in a little water to help it steam and prevent it from drying out).
Macros: Nutritional information is calculated based on 6 servings, each person getting 4 meatballs and 1/6 of the pasta. Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary. Always best to go off your own calculations based on the ingredients and measurements you use.
Nutrition
Serving: 4meatballs | Calories: 1159 | Total Carbs: 8.9g | Protein: 66.5g | Fat: 94.1g | Fiber: 0g | Net Carbs: 9g