Low Carb Mexicali Meatballs (A Lean & Green Meal)

This is a delicious, flavorful &
satisfying low carb meal!

Ingredients:

olive oil cooking spray

1 pound lean ground beef, turkey or bison

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/4 cup grated reduced fat cheddar or pepper jack cheese*

4 1/2 teaspoons taco seasoning**

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 cup low carb marinara sauce (I use Victoria brand)***

1/4 cup beef or chicken broth

3/4 cup grated reduced fat Colby Jack cheese*

5 cups cooked riced cauliflower

1/2 cup finely chopped cherry or grape tomatoes

Method:

Preheat oven to 400*. Line a baking sheet (one with sides) with aluminum foil and spray lightly with cooking oil spray. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the meat, egg, 1/4 cup cheese, taco seasoning, onion powder and black pepper. (You may use your hands to thoroughly blend.) Form into 15 balls and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through. Reduce the oven temperature to 350*.

Add the marinara, broth and chili powder to a saucepan. Heat to simmer, stirring to blend. Spread 1/4 cup of the sauce to the bottom of a casserole dish or 9 inch square baking dish. Assemble the cooked meatballs on top of the sauce. Spoon the remaining sauce over the meatballs and sprinkle with the Colby Jack cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until all is heated and the cheese is bubbly.

For each portion, add 1 cup cooked cauliflower rice to a serving plate. Top with 3 meatballs. Spoon 1/5 of the sauce over the top and garnish with about 1 1/2 tablespoons (4 1/2 teaspoons) chopped tomatoes. Makes 5 servings.

*If you are not following a low fat meal plan, full fat cheese may be used.

**It is very simple to make your own low carb, gluten & chemical free taco seasoning. Here is a link to my recipe on this blog:   https://carriekitchencreations.blogspot.com/2019/02/keto-friendly-homemade-taco-seasoning.html

Each serving equals: 1 lean, 3 green & 3 condiments

Nutritional info per serving (with ground bison), approximately: 329.6 calories ~ 18.4 grams fat ~ 9.9 grams carbs ~ 6.8 grams net carbs ~ 31.6 grams protein

Notes: 

I really enjoyed this simple, delicious and satisfying low carb meal❣️

If  you are serving this meal to children or people who need additional carbs, regular rice may be used instead of cauliflower rice. Refried or black beans and a salad of avocado and tomatoes also go well with these meatballs.

My husband was very happy with his plate❣️