Italian Meatballs with Tomato Basil Sauce (Paleo, Whole 30, GAPS, SCD, low FODMAP)

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Here’s Louise:

I used to think all meatballs were Paleo – after all, it’s just supposed to be a ball of meat and spices topped with a sauce right?

I soon learned that unless you make your own meatballs, they’re likely to contain flour or another grain in them.  And then the sauce that often comes with meatballs pretty much always has added sugar if not cornstarch or flour.

So, I started to make my own meatballs to eat!  They’re remarkably easy to make, and you can omit the flour without losing much of the texture.  The egg helps to hold the meat together well and also helps to keep the meatballs moist.

One of the things I love about this recipe is just how fast it is to make.  I don’t often have time to create elaborate meals, and this recipe is something I can whip up in under 30 minutes for dinner.

I’ve put together some step-by-step photos to help you understand just how simple this Paleo Italian meatballs recipe is.  Hope you enjoy it!

Step 1:

Add all the meatball ingredients into a large mixing bowl.

Step 3:

Place 2 tablespoons of olive or avocado oil into a frying pan and pan-fry the meatballs. When the meatballs are browned, add in the diced tomatoes.

Step 5:

Enjoy by the meatballs by themselves, with a salad, or with some of Erin’s Simple Summer Zucchini and Tomato “Pasta.”

5 from 1 vote

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Italian Meatballs with Tomato Basil Sauce

One of the things I love about this recipe is just how fast it is to make.  I don’t often have time to create elaborate meals, and this recipe is something I can whip up in under 30 minutes for dinner.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Keyword easy meatballs, grain free meatballs

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 18 meatballs

Calories 42 kcal

Ingredients

Meatballs

• 1/2 lb grass-fed ground beef
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil) + more to cook with
• 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tsp garlic powder omit for low FODMAP
• 1 tsp onion powder optional - omit for low FODMAP
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Sauce

• 14 oz diced tomatoes, or equivalent of chopped fresh tomatoes
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced substitute diced green onion for low FODMAP
• salt
• pepper

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, 2 Tablespoons of olive or avocado oil, Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.

2. Form 18-20 small (golf ball sized) meatballs.

3. Pan fry the meatballs in additional olive or avocado oil. When they’re browned, add in the diced tomatoes and simmer for a few minutes before adding in the basil, garlic, salt and pepper.

4. Serve by itself or with some Paleo pasta.

Recipe Notes

Meatballs freeze well, so make extra!

Nutrition Facts

Italian Meatballs with Tomato Basil Sauce

Amount Per Serving (1 meatball)

Calories 42 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Fat 3g5%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 2g

Cholesterol 17mg6%

Sodium 143mg6%

Potassium 118mg3%

Carbohydrates 2g1%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 294IU6%

Vitamin C 4mg5%

Calcium 17mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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