These quick skillet meatballs have been a favorite weeknight meal for my family for years! You can prep and cook these meatballs in just 25 minutes and they never get complaints. Serve over veggie noodles or spaghetti squash, with gluten free or grain free pasta, over sautéed greens or with a big green salad. They’re paleo, Whole30 and keto friendly.
These skillet meatballs have been in my weeknight meal rotation for years now!
I always thought they were too “easy” to post as a “real” recipe though!
But then I realized that hey – easy is exactly what most of us want!
For those of use who aren’t the best meal planners and preppers (raising my hand!) these meatballs are a weeknight dinner saver.
You can keep them paleo and Whole30 by serving with some sautéed zucchini noodles or other greens, or a big green salad.
Or, you can use your favorite gluten free or grain free (Jovial Foods) pasta for some good old spaghetti and meatballs!
Let’s get into all the delicious recipe details.
What You Need to Make These Skillet Meatballs
To keep these meatballs really easy, the ingredients I use are very basic but pack in lots of great flavor!
I like using ground pork in addition to beef for flavor and added fat, but I also use all beef many times and everyone loves them and doesn’t even know the difference!
Here’s everything you’ll need to prepare the meatballs:
- grass fed ground beef
- ground pork (optional – you can use all beef)
- egg
- almond flour
- Seasonings
- fresh herbs (optional)
- olive oil or avocado oil, for frying
- marinara sauce, Whole30 compliant (I use Rao’s marinara)
How to Make Quick Skillet Meatballs
This recipe really can’t get any simpler!
Add the meat to a large bowl along with the egg, almond flour, and seasonings. Mix well will your hands, careful not to overwork the meat.
Form the mixture into balls and brown them in a big skillet on all sides.
Once browned, add the sauce to skillet and bring to a boil, then simmer until meatballs are cooked through.
What Whole30 Marinara Sauce Should I Use?
I’ve been using Rao’s marinara sauce for years and it’s everyone’s favorite!
I think it tastes better than any jarred sauce I’ve had and the ingredients are clean and simple.
Can I Add Parmesan Cheese and Bread Crumbs if I’m Not Paleo?
Yes! This recipe is extremely adaptable. I’m often asked this question about my recipes by friends who do not eat paleo and this one is easy to modify.
You can replace the almond flour with plain breadcrumbs (use 1/4 cup instead of 3 tablespoons).
I’ve also experimented by adding about 1/3 cup of parmesan cheese to the mixture and it works out well!
If You Have More Time to Cook These Skillet Meatballs
If you happen to have more time, you can use fresh onions and garlic instead of the garlic and onion powder and include the minced fresh herbs.
You can also simmer the meatballs in the sauce for 10-15 minutes longer on low heat to combine the flavors.
For a more involved “from scratch” meatball recipe using the slow cooker – try these.
I hope you’re ready for a delicious and FAST dinner that you’ll want on repeat in your house!
Grab your ingredients and your favorite skillet because it’s time to cook – let’s go!
Quick Skillet Meatballs in Sauce {Paleo, Whole30}
Quick Skillet Meatballs in Sauce {Paleo, Whole30}
Ingredients
- 1 lb grass fed ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork or use all beef
- 1 large egg
- 3 Tablespoons almond flour
- 3/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder or 1/2 small onion, minced
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder or 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend
- generous pinch crushed red pepper (adjust for spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley or basil optional, plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil for frying
- 24-32 oz marinara sauce Whole30 compliant (I use Rao’s marinara)
Instructions
-
To a large mixing bowl, add the beef and pork (or all beef) along with the egg, almond flour, and seasonings. Mix well will hands, careful not to overwork the meat.
-
Heat a large skillet over med-hi heat and once hot, add the oil. You might need to lower the heat slightly depending on your stove, if the oil smokes.
-
Begin rolling the mixture into meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter, and place each one in the pan. Continue until the mixture is used up.
-
Once the bottoms are nicely browned after about 2-3 minutes, flip each meatball over to brown the other side, and carefully turn to brown on all sides.
-
Once browned, add the sauce to skillet and bring to a boil. Cover and lower the heat to a simmer. Allow meatballs to simmer in the sauce until cooked through - about 5-8 minutes.
-
If you have extra time, you can allow the meatballs to simmer on low heat, uncovered, for another 10 mintutes.
Recipe Notes
If you are not paleo -
This recipe is extremely adaptable.
You can replace the almond flour with plain breadcrumbs (use 1/4 cup instead of 3 tablespoons).
I've also experimented by adding about 1/3 cup of parmesan cheese to the mixture and it works out well!
Nutrition
Want More Quick Paleo Skillet Dinners? Try One of These!
One Skillet Creamed Spinach Chicken
Skillet Steak Bites and Potatoes
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Oh, it looks delicious, I’m going to make this for dinner. I love to cook something delicious and sit down to play blackjack at https://blackjack77australia.com/. I think these meeting balls will make my evening unforgettable.
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Made these last night! Big hit with everyone- I am planning to make a larger match next time and freeze them.
I really like the meatballs in sauce paleo the first time I heard about it, I was really excited to have this meal.
Hi- loved this recipe! How much per serving? I’m on Keto and need to track. Thanks!
Love your recipes but feel that the serving sizes are tiny. In my family we easily eat 6-7 oz meat per person.
This recipe of skillet meatballs in a sauce of paleo is so delightful and delicious in my opinion.
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absolutely delicious! We substituted ground buffalo from a hunt and used Whole 30 compliant sauce. We feel spoiled!
Just made these meatballs and I love them, they are so delicious I will definitely be making these again!
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These meatballs are delicious and so quick to make! I made them for my dad as a meal prep and they kept well as leftovers. Making again tonight for my family!
Can you bake these instead of on the stove? I can never get them brown and still moist inside on the stove :/
Just made these with 2 lbs ground chicken. I was concerned they would be too dry, but they’re absolutely perfect! Tossing my old meatball recipe which was more time-consuming and less flavorful. Thanks for sharing this!
Best meatballs ever!! My kids couldn’t get enough of them! Way better than any other meatball recipe I have ever made. Thank you!
Best meatballs ever!! My kids couldn’t get enough. Thank you!
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Alternatives for the Almond Flour? We have a treenut allergy in our house. Thanks!
When I was on AIP I used Tigernut flour. Contrary to it’s name it’s not a nut. It was a substitute for Almond flour in other recipes so maybe that would work for you? I bought it through Thrive.
so flavorful. i’ve been putting it over brown rice, next to some sautéed veggies, and feel very satiated.
These were so simple and so delicious!
First of all great blog Keep up the good work!
Thank you, thank you so much These tips are so useful,
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Thanks for sharing this awesome blog
Can’t wait to try this!
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Do you have a cookbook I can buy?
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