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Beef Meatballs with Tomato Sauce and Cauliflower Rice

Beef Meatballs with Tomato Sauce and Cauliflower Rice

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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: dinner
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef Meatballs
  • 500 grams ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons almond flour as a keto friendly alternative of breadcrumbs
  • 4 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
  • 1 egg
  • 1 medium red onion diced
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper for taste
Tomato Sauce
  • 1 Canned diced tomatoes 500g
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 pinch of thyme
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream for silky and smooth sauce
  • Salt and pepper for taste
Cauliflower Rice
  • 2 Medium heads of cauliflower
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • Salt and pepper for taste

Equipment

  • food processor

Method
 

  1. Mix ground beef with minced garlic, finely diced onion, almond flower and beaten egg.
  2. Add to the beef the chopped parsley, Parmesan and dried oregano. Season with salt and pepper accordingly. Knead until just combined, don't over-mix.
  3. Form meat mixture into 1.5-inch balls, place them in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.
  4. In a pan, sauté the garlic for a minute in olive oil then add crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper.
  5. Let the sauce simmer for 20 min on low to medium heat while stirring occasionally. Add the heavy cream and continue stirring.
  6. In a separate pan, heat olive oil over medium heat, brown meatballs in batches until golden on all sides (about 5-7 minutes)
  7. Once the meatballs are done , set them aside. In the same pan sauté the cauliflower(Finley chopped using food processor) in 2 tablespoons of olive oil for 5-7 minutes until tender but still slightly crisp. Then add the chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper.
  8. Serve the tomato sauce on top of portion size cauliflower rice, top it with the golden beef meatballs. Garnish with Parmesan and chopped parsley if preferred.

Notes

  • Prevent tough meatballs: Form with wet hands, handle gently
  • Perfect size: 1.5-inch diameter ensures even cooking
  • Sauce tip: Add pinch of sugar alternative (Keto friendly) Erythrit to balance acidity if needed. 
  • Cauliflower Rice: Drain excess moisture before cooking to prevent sogginess
  • Storage: Meatballs freeze well for up to 3 months
  • Make ahead: Sauce develops better flavour next day
  • You can use broccoli "rice" instead of cauliflower. Processing and cooking method still applies.