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Skillet Italian Meatballs [& a 2 week Keto update]

by 179 Comments

As you may or may not know, Stevie and I decided to try the Keto diet a couple weeks ago.

A few months back, I read Keto Clarity and was intrigued by it but couldn’t quite get him interested.  And I knew that it would probably be hard to do without him being on board.  Because of my history of at least some insulin resistance while pregnant and my intense LOVE for all carbs, I knew this would be good for me. And because it’s a man friendly diet where you can have lots of meat and fat, I knew Stevie would love it if he ever gave it a try.

And just for a little history, let me say that as a physician, I have always been a guinea pig for the newest and latest science concerning health and nutrition.  Back in the day, I tried every new diet plan (lots of them gimmicky) and supplement that ever came to market.  I love learning and immersion learning is the best so I immersed myself in something new all the time.  Trying the ketosis diet was bound to happen someday!

Then we went to Portland to visit Mal and Linn, his oldest son and daughter in law.  It was all big fun and the food was OH MY WORD GOOD!!!  We spent the better part of one evening talking about Mal’s experience with keto and we were both so inspired and intrigued that we were chomping at the bit to get home and try it.  And really, doesn’t everybody need to make some dietary restrictions after spending a weekend in Portland?!?!?! Yes and yes.

Y’all, I LOVE it and I’m pretty sure that this is the eating plan my body is made for.  I feel great, am not hungry all the time, don’t feel tempted to cheat when there are carbs around, and have lot at least an inch in my waist and 3 pounds without feeling deprived.

I’m working on a post all about it, but for now, enjoy this recipe (which is keto but could easily be adapted for you and your family, just serve it over pasta or rice or on Italian bread.)  It’s DELICIOUS is what it is!  Also, until I get all my thoughts together on our experience with this high fat, low carb way of eating, follow my live streams at lifeingrace on FB and my IG stories on Instagram.

So, without further adieu, I give you the MOST delicious skillet meatballs ever!!  I adapted this recipe from Diet Doctor, a membership site for low carb recipes.  Get 5 of my BEST recipes as a free download here!!

Skillet Italian Meatballs

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Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
  • 2 oz. grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • shake or two or dried red pepper to taste
  • ½ tablespoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 14 oz. canned whole tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • handful fresh spinach
  • 8 oz mozzarella cheese
  • 3 T heavy cream
  • olive oil for cooking the meatballs
  • salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • Turn on the broiler.
  • Place ground beef, parmesan cheese, eggs, salt and spices in a bowl and blend thoroughly.
  • Form the mixture into meatballs, the size of a golfball.
  • Heat up the olive oil in a large skillet and sauté the meatballs until they’re golden brown on all sides.
  • Lower the heat and add the canned tomatoes. Let simmer for a few minutes, stirring every couple of minutes. Then add spinach and cream and lightly toss.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Top with parsley and mozzarella cheese and then put under the broiler for 5 minutes or until the cheese starts to brown.
  • Serve and enjoy!!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shawna says

    My daughter has complex partial nocturnal only seizures. She has had them since 7 years old and she is 21 years old. Two years ago she had the VNS surgery. She is on a few medicines. Have you ever “treated” someone who has epilepsy with Young Living Oils? I am very interested, thank you.

    Reply

    • B says

      Our precious friend had the VNS several years ago. Four days ago he had the RNS implanted. Sure wish there were some oils to help out!

      Reply

  2. Gina says

    Hmm, I have been reading up on the keto diet also. Can’t wait to hear more from you about it. The meatballs look amazing!!

    Reply

  3. Shannon says

    But how are we going to get honey garlic pizza on keto? I’ve been transitioning our diet to a keto/paleo approach and that pizza is one thing I seriously miss.

    Reply

  4. Johanna says

    My husband and I have been eating Keto for the last year, after my doctor recommended it as a treatment for PCOS. It’s been so good for us. I lost 45 lbs without ever feeling like I was trying to! I’m always looking for new recipes so I’m really excited to see what you’ll share.

    Reply

  5. JennyBC says

    Just starting keto too. Amazed at how I don’t feel hungry. Do you follow any podcasts on eating keto. I listen to a few (healthful pursuit, fed and fit just did a good podcast with Mark Sisson too and I watch a few on YouTube) but would be interested if you have others you are interested in.

    Reply

      • Anne says

        Edie, I think you’d really like to read The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung. He advocates ketogenic eating, along with intermittent fasting to combat insulin resistance (and obesity). It makes so much sense.

        Reply

  8. Deanna says

    Wondering if you used organic grass fed beef? And organic chicken? Everything I’ve read about Keto diets say to use it. We live in a small town where this isn’t readily available… is it ok to not use grass fed beef?

    Reply

  9. Rachel says

    EDIE!!! I love you! I started with keto a few weeks ago too and am kind of slogging through right now #sendchocolate 🙁 This dish is amazing – we made it tonight and I’m kicking myself for not doubling the recipe for lunches. Thank you!!!

    Reply

  10. Kathleen says

    Made this last night and it was a hit. My son had it Waugh pasta and really liked it. I was able to forego the pasta and keep it low carb.

    Reply

  12. Betsy Crawford says

    You’ve inspired me to research the Keto diet and I just completed day one! I’m looking forward to your blog post about it but the recipes you’ve featured so far on IG have been great.

    Reply

  13. Jen Van Hooser says

    I am interested in doing a keto diet because I too am a carboholic. But I can’t do dairy and that stresses me out. How possible do you think it would be? I am just not a big meat eater, so without dairy and a bunch of meat it seems like I am not left with much?

    Reply

  14. Kevin says

    Hi, I’ve just “discovered” you on the local news this morning and have been intrigued by the keto diet since some we spent a weekend with friends that had been on it for a while. I want to try to get my wife to try this with me, so I thought I’d prepare this recipe for dinner tonight. It seems that a step may be missing tho, where you go from frying the meatballs in step 4, you continue to adding the tomatoes, etc in step 5. I use a considerable amount of oil when I make my meatballs so my question is: Do you drain any of the olive oil off and if not, how much oil do you use when you fry yours?
    Thank you and I look forward to enjoying your blog and FB page!

    Reply

  16. Brenda Verna says

    Hi Edie –

    My doctor wants me to go on an extreme low carb/low fat diet (not sure what that looks like exactly) due to elevated glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides. Would the keto diet target these potential health issues? How would essential oils play into this? I’ve used oils very sparingly because I quickly become overwhelmed with all of the information on them. I really want to become educated on their use(s) and am planning on ordering a YL kit soon.

    Thanks

    Reply

  17. Ginny says

    Edie, I would love a Keto Update! And some new recipes! I’ve made this several times and making it again tonight. I had to come here to print the recipe again. Love it!

    Reply

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