If you’re looking for a recipe that’s low on carbs but big on comfort, these Keto Garlic Butter Meatballs check all the boxes. They’re juicy, rich, buttery, and made with everyday stuff you probably already have in your fridge or pantry.

This is one of those easy keto main dish recipes that saves the night when dinner feels like a chore. Just think: buttery garlic, golden brown meatballs, and tender zucchini noodles swimming in flavor. And the best part? No carb crash. Just full belly, happy mouth.

Why You’ll Make These Keto Garlic Butter Meatballs Again and Again

Quick and simple: Great for busy nights or lazy Sundays.
Budget-friendly: Real talk—this is one of those affordable keto recipes that feels kinda fancy but isn’t.
Great for leftovers: Make a big batch and boom—keto meal prep ideas for the week are done.
Swaps easy: Beef, turkey, pork—doesn’t matter. This works with all of them.

What You Need

Let’s keep this real simple.

For the Meatballs:

1 lb ground beef (or turkey if you like)
1 egg
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper
A pinch of Italian seasoning (optional)

For the Garlic Butter Sauce:

4 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp lemon juice
A small handful chopped parsley (or dried if that’s what you got)

For the Zoodles:

2 medium zucchinis, spiralized (or buy pre-spiraled)
Salt and pepper

If you’re not into zoodles, this sauce also works over steamed broccoli or cauliflower mash. But for that classic zoodles and meatballs recipe feel, stick with the zucchini.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Prep the Meatballs

Throw your ground beef (or ground turkey if you want a leaner option like turkey meatballs with zucchini noodles) into a mixing bowl. Add the egg, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and that optional Italian seasoning. Mix it all with your hands until it just comes together.

Pro tip: Don’t overmix. If it looks messy, you’re doing it right.

Roll the mix into small meatballs—about the size of a golf ball or a bit smaller.

This part is key. If they’re too big, they take forever to cook. Too small, they dry out.

2. Sear the Meatballs

Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat with a bit of oil or butter. Cook the meatballs in batches so they don’t crowd the pan.

Brown all sides—about 6 to 8 minutes. They don’t need to be cooked through yet, just golden on the outside. Set them aside.

You’re halfway to a killer beef dinner or a meatball dinner that’s totally guilt-free.

3. Make That Garlic Butter

In the same pan (don’t wash it—flavor lives there), drop your butter in. Let it melt gently.

Add minced garlic and let it cook for 30 seconds—just enough to smell amazing but not turn brown. Toss in the lemon juice and parsley.

Slide those browned meatballs back into the pan and simmer them in the garlic butter for 6–8 minutes until fully cooked and coated in flavor.

Now we’re talkin’ butter meatballs heaven.

4. Cook the Zoodles

While the meatballs are finishing up, heat a second pan. Add a splash of oil and toss in your zucchini noodles with a bit of salt and pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes—just enough to soften them slightly.

If they cook too long, they get soggy. No one likes soggy zoodles.

This right here is your low-carb version of those classic pasta dinner recipes. Think of it like a twist on spaghetti night, only way better for your waistline.

Putting It All Together

Scoop a nice tangle of zoodles onto your plate, top with those garlic butter meatballs, then spoon more of that buttery sauce right over the top.

Optional: sprinkle with extra Parmesan. You earned it.

Swaps and Variations

Turkey instead of beef? Go for it. Try turkey zucchini meatballs if you want something lighter.
No zoodles? These go great with cauliflower rice or even a bed of sautéed spinach.
More spice? Add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a tiny kick.

Meal Prep Like a Pro

This recipe is one of the best keto meal prep ideas for the week. Make a double batch and pack the meatballs with a side of zucchini noodles in containers. They hold up well in the fridge for about 4 days.

Microwave to reheat, but add a tiny splash of water or butter before reheating to keep them juicy.

They freeze well too—just leave the zoodles out and make them fresh when you’re ready.

A Quick Word About Leftovers

Leftovers aren’t just reheated food. They’re basically a gift from Past You. One lunch idea? Toss the meatballs into a bowl with fresh greens, avocado, and a drizzle of olive oil for one of those easy lunch ideas keto fans go wild for.

Or wrap them in a lettuce leaf like a taco. Easy. Fast. No carbs. Total win.

Why Keto Garlic Butter Meatballs Beat Takeout

You could order takeout and regret it 45 minutes later—or you could make this instead:

Cheaper
Lower carbs
More filling
No mystery ingredients

This meal scratches that pasta dinners itch without knocking you out of ketosis. Add it to your list of zero carb dinner ideas that actually taste good.

It’s also one of those ground beef recipes you can make on a whim without needing to run to the store.

A Few More Ways to Serve These

If you’re feeling a little fancy or feeding picky eaters, here are a few more ideas:

Serve over lemon zucchini sautéed in olive oil
Bake into a meatball casserole with mozzarella on top
Toss into a tomato-free marinara if you’re missing red sauce
Use as a topper for a beef dishes platter with grilled veggies

What People Are Saying (aka My Cousin Jamie)

“My kids ate it. My husband had thirds. I actually got to sit down and enjoy dinner without someone whining.”

That was Jamie, who swore off cooking anything that needed more than five ingredients. This changed her mind. She now uses it as her go-to easy weeknight dinners keto recipe.

Conclusion

Look, I’m not gonna write poetry about meatballs. But I will say this: if you’ve been burned out by boring keto food, or you’re just tired of “snack plate dinners” and microwaved cheese, these keto beef meatballs might just bring the joy back.

There’s something about garlic and butter and meat that just works. It’s cozy without being heavy. Easy without being bland. And it makes pasta dinner night something you can look forward to again.

So next time you’re standing in front of your fridge thinking, “What’s for dinner?”, remember this one. It’s a plateful of comfort that keeps carbs low and flavor high.