Whole30 Classic Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, these Whole30 Classic Meatballs in Tomato Sauce are a healthier take on everyone’s favorite comfort food. Made with a blend of ground beef and pork, almond flour as a grain-free binder, and seasoned with fresh parsley, garlic, and oregano, these meatballs are baked to perfection before simmering in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce. This recipe is entirely Whole30-compliant, dairy-free, and gluten-free, making it an ideal choice for clean eating without sacrificing taste. Pair these hearty meatballs with spiralized zucchini or spaghetti squash for a wholesome, low-carb meal that’s satisfying and easy to prepare in under 1 hour. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, this dish is sure to become a family favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams ground beef
• 250 grams ground pork
• 60 grams almond flour
• 1 large egg
• 4 large garlic cloves
• 1 medium onion
• 30 grams fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 800 grams canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 whole bay leaf

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Finely chop the onion and 2 garlic cloves, and set them aside.

Step 3

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, almond flour, egg, half of the chopped onion, chopped garlic, 15 grams of chopped fresh parsley, dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper. Mix well using your hands until just combined.

Step 4

Shape the meat mixture into approximately 16 meatballs (about 2 inches in diameter each) and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Step 5

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until browned and cooked through.

Step 6

While the meatballs are baking, prepare the tomato sauce. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 7

Add the remaining chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Mince the remaining 2 garlic cloves and add them to the saucepan, cooking for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 8

Add the canned crushed tomatoes to the saucepan, along with the bay leaf, dried basil, and the remaining 0.5 teaspoon of salt. Stir to combine.

Step 9

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, reduce the heat to low, and let it cook for about 15 minutes while the meatballs finish baking.

Step 10

Once the meatballs are done, carefully add them to the simmering tomato sauce. Allow them to simmer together on low heat for an additional 10 minutes to let the flavors meld and the meatballs absorb the sauce.

Step 11

Remove the bay leaf, taste the sauce, and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 12

Garnish with the remaining chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Step 13

Serve the meatballs warm in the tomato sauce. Enjoy them on their own or over a bed of spiralized zucchini or spaghetti squash to keep it Whole30 compliant.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1910.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2864.3

Total Fat 208.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 63.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 776.4mg	0%
Sodium 5164.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 87.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.5g	0%
Total Sugars 43.0g
Protein 182.6g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 608.2mg	0%
Iron 23.2mg	0%
Potassium 4558.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 63.5%

Protein: 24.7%

Carbs: 11.8%