How to Make Homemade Pizza Meatballs
Published Nov 02, 2018 Updated Mar 31, 2025
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My pizza meatballs are filled with pepperonis, pizza sauce, and onions. These juicy meatballs are like biting into your favorite pizza in meatball form! Packed with herbs and all those classic pizza flavors you crave, they’re perfect for meal prep, family dinner, or a social gathering. The best part? They’re ready in under 30 minutes and will become your new favorite food without the guilt of traditional pizza crust.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Pizza Meatballs
Since changing my relationship with food, I’ve discovered that I can still enjoy my favorite food without the guilt. Instead of that greasy pizza crust that leaves me feeling bloated, these flavor-packed meatballs hit all those pizza cravings while keeping me on track.
My kiddos absolutely devour these cute little pizza meatball bites, which is the ultimate test of any recipe! They’re perfect for busy weeknights with some steamed veggies or a crisp salad, and fantastic for meal prep too.
My family also loves these quick and easy keto meatball poppers and my sticky Asian meatballs! I often make a big batch on Sundays for quick lunches throughout the week. If you’re looking for more meal prep inspiration, check out my clean keto meal plan for a full week of delicious options.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground beef or ground turkey: The foundation of our meatballs. Ground beef gives a richer flavor while turkey offers a leaner option. Either works beautifully with these pizza flavors.
- Garlic powder, salt, black pepper, onion powder, oregano, & Italian seasoning: This blend creates that classic Italian pizza flavor profile that makes these meatballs irresistible.
- Onion: Adds flavor depth and moisture to the meatballs. Grating them ensures they blend perfectly into the meat mixture.
- Olive oil: A touch of extra virgin olive oil adds moisture and richness to the meatballs.
- Almond flour, crushed pork rinds, or gluten-free breadcrumbs: A low-carb alternative to traditional bread crumbs that helps bind the meatballs while keeping them tender.
- Egg: Acts as the perfect binder to hold your meatball ingredients together.
- Pepperoni: Adds that authentic pizza flavor and little bursts of spicy goodness. Use regular or turkey pepperoni depending on your dietary preferences.
- Pizza sauce: The secret weapon that infuses these meatballs with authentic pizza flavor. See notes below for my homemade pizza sauce – it takes these to the next level, but store-bought works in a pinch (just check for added sugars if following Whole30).
- Red pepper flakes: Optional but adds a nice kick for those who enjoy a bit of heat.
- Parmesan cheese: Brings that distinctive cheesy pizza flavor and helps bind the meatballs. Can be substituted with dairy-free cheese or omitted if needed.
How to Make This Pizza Meatballs Recipe
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef (or turkey), grated onion, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, oregano, Italian seasoning, almond flour (or pork rinds/breadcrumbs), egg, olive oil, and chopped pepperoni. Mix until well combined but don’t overwork the mixture.
Step 2: Using slightly wet hands, form the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs (about the size of a golf ball or your desired shape) and place them on your prepared baking sheet.
Step 3: Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. For that perfect finish, broil them for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
Step 5: Serve with warm pizza sauce for dipping and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. You can also enjoy over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a low-carb appetizer!
Mac’s Pro Tip
Homemade Pizza Sauce
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoon water
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1-2 teaspoon honey or monk fruit
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes for a kick (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients – In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce and tomato paste until smooth.
- Add Seasonings – Stir in the kosher salt, black pepper, honey, red pepper flakes, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Thin with Water – Add the water and mix well to reach your desired consistency.
- Let It Rest – Allow the sauce to sit for at least 10-15 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Use or Store – Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage.
Cooking Options
You’ve got options beyond just baking these delicious meatballs:
- Oven Baking: 400°F for 18–22 minutes on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Air Fryer: 375°F for 12–15 minutes, with a light coating of cooking spray, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Stovetop: Sear in a skillet, then simmer in sauce for an extra juicy texture.
Texture Troubleshooting
If your meatball ingredients mixture is too wet & sticky:
- Gradually add more almond flour or breadcrumbs (1 tablespoon at a time).
- Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes before adding more dry ingredients.
If your mixture is too dry & crumbly:
- Add a splash of liquid (almond milk or broth).
- Mix in an extra egg yolk for moisture and binding.
- Try adding grated zucchini for a juicier texture.
Mac’s Pro Tip
Serving Ideas
These pizza meatballs are incredibly versatile and my favorite way to enjoy them is:
- Pizza Night Twist – Serve over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or gluten-free pasta for a complete meal.
- Low-Carb Option – Use lettuce wraps or stuff into a bell pepper for a fun twist.
- Mini Sliders – Place between gluten-free buns or roll them up in cheese wraps for a finger food that’s perfect for parties.
A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil on top adds another layer of flavor too! Warm extra sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling over meatballs before serving.
Storage and Meal Prep
These meatballs are perfect for meal prep:
- Fridge: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Place cooked meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in the microwave, oven, or in sauce on the stovetop.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Just leave out the parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative. The pepperoni and seasonings provide plenty of flavor even without the cheese. Italian sausage can also be substituted for half the ground beef for an extra flavor boost!
You can find compliant pizza sauce at your local grocery store (just check the ingredients carefully), but honestly, my homemade pizza sauce is way better than anything store-bought.
My favorite way to serve these is over zucchini noodles with extra pizza sauce, or alongside a big green salad. They’re also delicious stuffed into bell peppers for a fun pizza-stuffed pepper vibe similar to my low carb pizza stuffed peppers. These are an easy recipe that’s versatile enough to enjoy in many different ways!
Y’all, these flavor-packed meatballs have saved my Friday nights and meal prep sanity! The recipe card below has all the details you need to get started. They’re the perfect way to enjoy all those pizza flavors you crave without derailing your healthy eating goals. Whether you serve them as an appetizer, over veggie noodles, or in a lettuce wrap, they’re sure to become a family favorite.
More Meatball Recipes
If you love this recipe, please give it a star rating and leave a comment below! Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for more!
How to Make Homemade Pizza Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons chopped or grated onions
- 1 tbso olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt more or less to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black cracked pepper more or less to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup almond flour or crushed pork rhinds or ⅓ cup gluten free breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup chopped regular or turkey pepperoni
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce plus more for dipping see notes for homemade, can also use store-bought
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional for heat
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese or dairy free cheese (omit together if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, grated onion, seasonings, pork panko (or almond flour), egg, olive oil, and pepperoni (if using). Mix until well combined but don’t overwork.
- Shape & Bake: Form into 1½-inch meatballs and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until cooked through (internal temp of 165°F).
- Crispy Finish: For extra flavor, broil for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. (I want them to look juicy but have a crisp on them for the photos)
- Serve with fresh parsley and a side of pizza sauce for dipping or toss in warm pizza sauce and enjoy over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or as a low-carb appetizer!
Notes
Homemade Pizza Sauce
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoon water
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1-2 teaspoon honey or monk fruit
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes for a kick (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Combine Ingredients – In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce and tomato paste until smooth. Step 2: Add Seasonings – Stir in the kosher salt, black pepper, honey, red pepper flakes, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, onion powder, and garlic powder. Step 3: Thin with Water – Add the water and mix well to reach your desired consistency. Step 4: Let It Rest – Allow the sauce to sit for at least 10-15 minutes to let the flavors meld. Step 5: Use or Store – Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage. You’ve got options beyond just baking these delicious meatballs:- Oven Baking: 400°F for 18–22 minutes on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Air Fryer: 375°F for 12–15 minutes, with a light coating of cooking spray, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Stovetop: Sear in a skillet, then simmer in sauce for an extra juicy texture.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I think something happened with the formatting of your recipe and my meatballs turned out more dry. I am looking at it now and realize that the 1 15 oz can of tomato sauce is mixed in with the compliant pizza sauce heading. I was wondering why my pizza sauce didn’t make 1 1/2 cups and now I see that was the reason why. I left out the 15 oz can of tomato sauce because the recipe was confusing. Hopefully this is something that is simple to change. Thank you.
Yes, thank you for catching that. The formatting has now been corrected.