Zucchini Noodles with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce (Low Carb / Keto)

Zucchini Noodles with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce – a healthy and delicious low carb, gluten free “pasta” dinner perfect for a date night in or busy weeknight. Zucchini spaghetti made with a homemade or jarred marinara sauce and spiralized zoodles.

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Got lots of garden zucchini to use up? That’s when oodles of zoodles come to the rescue. Spiralized zucchini noodles are a popular favorite if you are looking for a healthy grain free / paleo / low carb / whole 30 noodle option.

This recipe for Zucchini Noodles with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce is a healthier low carb / keto-friendly twist on the classic comfort dish Spaghetti with Meatballs. It comes together using easy to find pantry ingredients and is simple to customize.

It works great if you want a special date-night with an entire homemade meal route. Or, you can also add in some store-bought shortcuts for busy weeknights when you want a quick 30 minute dinner.

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE MEATBALLS THAT ARE LOW CARB:

1. To make the meatballs, combine the ground beef, turkey, cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, onions and garlic together. Stir in the eggs, almond flour and fresh herbs until just combined.
2. Lightly oil your hands and roll round forming into 1.5″ balls.

Fry in a large 12″ skillet for 8-10 minutes or until all sides are brown. Or alternatively – you can also place the meatballs in a large baking dish in a single layer and bake at 415 F for about 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.

ARE MEATBALLS FREEZER FRIENDLY?

Absolutely. You can make a batch on meal prep Sunday (or Monday) and heat them up as needed.

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE TOMATO SAUCE:

Making your own pasta sauce from scratch is not hard at all. But if you’re pressed for time, you are more than welcome to use your favorite jarred brand.

1. You’re going to start by sauteing the onions, carrots and garlic until softened and fragrant. Season with salt and pepper. Add the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, oregano and bay leaf.
2. Bring to a boil and simmer gently until thickened. Add basil and adjust seasonings as needed.

And just like meatballs, the great thing about making a batch of homemade spaghetti sauce is that it it is also freezer-friendly so you can make this meal ahead and help cut down on prep time when you’re ready to serve.

HOW DO YOU MAKE ZUCCHINI NOODLES?

1. Make your zucchini noodles by using a spiralizer, mandolin or a vegetable peeler.
2. Lightly oil a pan and place the zucchini in for 1 1/2 – 2 minutes. Toss to cook. (do not overcook). Skip this step if you prefer your zucchini noodles raw.
   
3. Transfer noodles on a dish and serve with a few meatballs along with the homemade (or jarred) pasta sauce. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and Parmesan.

More zucchini noodle recipes:

One Pan Skillet Lasagna Zoodles

Pad Thai Zoodles {Zucchini Noodles}

Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp

5 from 5 votes

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Zucchini Noodles with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Total Time

40 mins

 

Zucchini Noodles with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce - a healthy low carb, gluten free "pasta" dinner. Made with a homemade or jarred marinara sauce and spiralized zoodles.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: 30 minute dinner recipe, low carb, zoodles, zucchini noodles

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 288 kcal

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

• olive oil , for frying

FOR THE MEATBALLS: (use frozen or premade if preferred):

• 3/4 pounds ground beef chuck
• 1/2 pound ground turkey
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese omit and sub with nutritional yeast for Whole30 or paleo
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 large egg lightly beaten
• 1/4 onion minced
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 2 Tablespoons almond flour or use gluten free bread crumbs for non low carb
• 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE (can also use jarred marinara sauce):

• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 2 carrots peeled and diced
• 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes (Italian or fire-roasted)
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup low sodium beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 3/4 teaspoon dried basil

• 5-6 medium zucchini about 2 1/4 pounds total, spiralized into noodles using a spiralizer or vegetable peeler
• chopped parsley for serving
• grated Parmesan cheese for serving, leave out for Whole30

Instructions

FOR THE MEATBALLS:

1. Combine the ground beef, turkey, cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, onion and garlic together. Stir in egg, almond flour and parsley until just combined. Do not overmix.

2. Using your hands, form into round 1.5" meatballs.

TO COOK ON THE STOVE:

1. Heat 2-3 tablespoons oil in a large 12" skillet on medium heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer and cook for 8-10 minutes, browning on all sides. Transfer to paper-lined plate and repeat, if necessary with remaining meatballs.

TO COOK IN THE OVEN: Preheat oven to 415 F. Place the meatballs on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper, in a single row. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.

FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE:

1. Discard oil and wipe down the same skillet. Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil on medium-high heat. Add onions, carrots, and garlic and cook until softened and fragrant. Season with salt and pepper. Add tomato paste and cook for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, broth, oregano and bay leaf. Bring to a boil and simmer gently until sauce thickens about 20 minutes. Stir in basil and adjust seasonings as needed. Add the cooked meatballs and simmer, until heated through.

TO MAKE THE ZUCCHINI NOODLES:

1. Spiralize zucchini using a spiralizer or vegetable peeler into noodles. At this point, you can divide into bowls if serving raw.

2. To cook zoodles, lightly oil a pan over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and saute for 1-2 minutes or slightly softened but still tender. Do not overcook.

TO ASSEMBLE:

1. Transfer to bowls and spoon sauce and meatballs over zucchini noodles. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

Zucchini Noodles with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 288 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Saturated Fat 5g25%

Carbohydrates 12g4%

Fiber 4g16%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 25g50%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.