High-Protein Cheesy Meatball Casserole

ByHannah Peterson

This is a comforting baked meatball casserole — juicy meatballs nestled in savory sauce, topped with bubbly melted cheese and herbs. It’s an easy, family-friendly high-protein dinner with minimal carbs.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Extremely high protein from meatballs + cheese
  • All the flavors of meatball Parmesan without the breading or pasta
  • One-pan meal — simple to prepare and bake
  • Great for meal prep and reheats beautifully
  • Kid-friendly and satisfying

Ingredients (Serves 6)

  • 2 lbs (900g) lean ground beef (or mix with ground turkey)
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup (50g) grated parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup (25g) almond flour (or crushed pork rinds for zero carb)
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp salt + black pepper
  • 2 cups (480ml) sugar-free marinara or low-carb pasta sauce
  • 2½ cups (250g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, egg, parmesan, almond flour, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until just combined. Do not overmix. Form into 18–20 meatballs (about 1.5–2 inches each).
  3. Spread half the sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange meatballs on top.
  4. Pour remaining sauce over the meatballs. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes.
  5. Remove foil, sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella. Bake uncovered 10–15 more minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly and meatballs reach 160°F internal temperature.
  6. Broil for 1–2 minutes for extra golden cheese if desired. Garnish with fresh herbs.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Bake Time: 35–40 minutes Total Time: 50–55 minutes

Nutrition (Per Serving, 1/6 of casserole — about 3–4 meatballs)

  • Calories: ~420
  • Protein: 42g (very high)
  • Total Carbs: 8g
  • Net Carbs: 6g
  • Fat: 26g

Similar Posts