This easy recipe for carnivore creamy meatballs brings together the rich flavors of beef and pork in a dish that’s both filling and satisfying.
If you’re looking for a hearty meal that fits perfectly into your carnivore diet, these meatballs are exactly what you need.
The combination of ricotta and parmesan cheese gives these meatballs an incredibly smooth texture, while the pork rind coating adds a wonderful crunch to every bite.
The recipe might look fancy, but don’t worry – it’s actually quite simple to put together, even if you’re not an experienced cook.
What makes this dish special is the creamy sauce. Made with heavy cream, butter, and more parmesan cheese, it turns these meatballs into something you’ll want to make again and again.
👍 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
No Bread Needed: Unlike traditional meatballs that rely on breadcrumbs, these use pork rinds for coating. This means you can enjoy crispy, delicious meatballs while staying true to your carnivore lifestyle.
Perfect Protein Balance: The combination of beef and pork in these meatballs gives you two different types of meat protein, making it a nutrient-rich meal that’s perfect for the carnivore diet.
Amazing Sauce: The cream sauce in this recipe is a game-changer. It’s rich, smooth, and coats each meatball perfectly. Unlike many carnivore recipes that can feel dry, this sauce adds moisture and flavor that makes the dish feel complete and satisfying.
Nutrient Dense: These meatballs pack a serious nutritional punch. With the combination of different meats, cheese, and cream, you’re getting a good mix of proteins, fats, and important nutrients that are essential for the carnivore diet.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 pound Ground Pork
- 1 Egg (large)
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- Salt and Pepper
Coating
- 1 cup Pork Rind Crumbs (I recommend these – amazon)
Sauce
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 tablespoons Butter (unsalted)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Minced Garlic
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon Paprika
- Optional: basil for garnishing
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👨🍳 How To Make
Follow this easy recipe:
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 10×13-inch baking dish with butter.
Step 2
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, egg, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined. Shape the mixture into small, even-sized meatballs.
Step 3
Roll each meatball in the pork rind crumbs to evenly coat them. Place the coated meatballs into the prepared baking dish. Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes, or until they are browned. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Step 4
In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and saute until fragrant.
Step 5
Pour in the heavy whipping cream. Season with salt and pepper (also add the paprika if using). Let the sauce simmer until it thickens, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and optional basil. Add the baked meatballs to the skillet. Gently toss them in the sauce until they are well coated. Enjoy!
💡Tips
1. Don’t Overmix
The key to tender, juicy meatballs is to mix the ingredients just until they’re combined. When you overmix the meat mixture, the meatballs become tough and dense.
Use your hands, and gently mix until you no longer see separate streaks of ricotta cheese or seasonings.
The meat mixture should look uniform but not packed or compressed. Think of it like mixing cookie dough – you want everything combined, but you don’t want to work it too much.
2. Let Them Rest
After the meatballs come out of the oven, let them rest for about 5 minutes before adding them to the sauce.
This brief rest allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making them juicier when you eat them. It also helps the meatballs hold together better when you add them to the sauce.
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FAQ
1. What if I don’t have pork rinds for coating?
You can skip the coating entirely – the meatballs will still taste delicious. The pork rind coating adds a nice crunch, but the meatballs work perfectly fine without it.
Another option is to grate more parmesan cheese and use that as a coating instead. The cheese will create a golden crust on the outside of the meatballs when baked.
2. Can I use only beef instead of mixing with pork?
Yes, you can use just beef for these meatballs. While the beef and pork mixture gives the best flavor and texture, using 2 pounds of beef will still work great.
If you’re using only beef, try to choose meat that’s about 80% lean – this gives enough fat to keep the meatballs juicy.
Carnivore Creamy Meatballs
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 pound Ground Pork
- 1 Egg large
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- Salt and Pepper
Coating
- 1 cup Pork Rind Crumbs (I recommend these – amazon)
Sauce
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 tablespoons Butter unsalted
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Minced Garlic
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon Paprika
- Optional: basil for garnishing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 10×13-inch baking dish with butter.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, egg, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined. Shape the mixture into small, even-sized meatballs.
- Roll each meatball in the pork rind crumbs to evenly coat them. Place the coated meatballs into the prepared baking dish. Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes, or until they are browned. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and saute until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy whipping cream. Season with salt and pepper (also add the paprika if using). Let the sauce simmer until it thickens, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and optional basil. Add the baked meatballs to the skillet. Gently toss them in the sauce until they are well coated. Enjoy!