Cheesy Cauliflower Meatball Casserole – Packed with flavor and so easy to throw together! If you’re looking for a great low carb dinner option, this cauliflower meatballs casserole recipe is as delicious as nourishing. It’s a clear winner with the whole family! Turkey meatballs, cauliflower rice, marinara sauce, and cheese are combined together in a hearty casserole dinner you’ll want to make it over and over again. Keto-friendly, paleo, gluten-free – Enjoy!
Ingredients list for the Meatballs Casserole
- 2 lbs (900g) ground turkey (or chicken, or a mix)
- 1 head of cauliflower, riced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated or shredded parmesan
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic
- Fresh chopped parsley, for the meatballs and for topping
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 1/4 cup (60ml) chicken stock
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili pepper flakes, optional
- 2 cups Marinara sauce
- 1 cups shredded cheese of your choice for topping (Mozzarella, Provolone, Monterrey Jack, Cheddar…)
Directions
1. To prepare the cauliflower meatballs casserole recipe: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Lightly spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. Combine ground turkey, mozzarella, parmesan, egg, onion powder, garlic, parsley, crushed chili pepper flakes in a large salad bowl. Use a small cookie scoop to form the meatballs all the same size and arrange the meatballs in the casserole dish.
3. Bake your meatballs casserole for 15 to 20 minutes or until fully cooked. Remove the meatballs casserole from the oven, transfer the meatballs to a shallow plate and drain excess grease from the baking dish (keep a little cooking juice, this will add flavor to the cauliflower).
4. While meatballs are cooking in the oven, nuke riced cauliflower in the microwave with 1/4 cup water for 7 minutes.
5. Transfer cooked cauliflower rice at the bottom of the baking dish, season with pepper and pour the chicken stock over. Arrange the baked meatballs on top and top with the Marinara sauce. Sprinkle shredded cheese and put the cauliflower meatball casserole in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes until the cheese has fully melted
6. Garnish with fresh basil and serve the cheesy meatballs and cauliflower rice casserole with a side salad. Enjoy!
Recipes tips for the meatballs casserole
- You can also mix 1 lb (450g) ground beef and 1 lb (450g) spicy pork sausage instead of using ground turkey or chicken.
- Freeze the cauliflower meatballs casserole into individual portions so you have a comforting dinner for evenings when you don’t want to cook from scratch
- If you want a crisp, crunchy topping, sprinkle your meatballs casserole with crushed pork rind. For those not on a Keto diet, breadcrumbs or Panko are both great options.
