About This Recipe

There’s something undeniably satisfying about a plate of buttery garlic meatballs, but traditional pasta turns that pleasure into a carb disaster. This keto version fixes everything: you keep the flavor, the richness, and the satisfaction, but swap the spaghetti for thin-sliced sautéed cabbage ribbons that absorb every drop of garlic butter like a dream.

The combination works because cabbage softens into delicate “noodles” when lightly fried, keeping just enough bite to feel like real pasta. Meanwhile, the meatballs — a mix of ground beef, parmesan, egg, and herbs — stay juicy thanks to the butter-based sauce they simmer in. The moment you toss it all together, you’ve got a dish that feels indulgent but fits perfectly into a ketogenic plan.

The sauce is ridiculously simple: butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and a sprinkle of parsley. No thickeners, no cream, no nonsense — just pure flavor. The meatballs soak up the sauce, the cabbage grabs the leftovers, and the result is an entire meal that tastes like you spent an hour cooking when it actually took twenty minutes.

This recipe nails what keto is supposed to be: real food that’s full of flavor, fast to make, and doesn’t feel like a compromise. You can meal prep it for lunch, reheat it for dinner, or even serve it family-style. The aroma alone — garlic hitting hot butter — will make everyone ask what’s cooking.

Forget the heavy marinara or the dry zoodles. Garlic, butter, beef, and cabbage were meant to meet. This dish proves keto can still taste like comfort.

Jump to Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ready in under 25 minutes
Perfect balance of protein and healthy fats
Rich garlic-butter flavor without cream
Simple ingredients, big flavor payoff
Works for lunch, dinner, or meal prep

Servings: 3–4 portions

Ingredients

Meatballs
- 500 g ground beef (or beef/pork blend)
- 1 egg
- 30 g grated parmesan
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 60 g unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- Salt & pepper to taste
“Noodles”
- ½ medium head of cabbage, finely shredded
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Pinch of salt

Instructions

Form the meatballs: In a bowl, mix beef, egg, parmesan, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and parsley. Roll into 12–14 small balls.
Brown the meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and sear until golden on all sides, about 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Make the garlic butter: In the same pan, melt butter and add minced garlic. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in lemon juice and parsley.
Sauté the cabbage: In a separate skillet, heat olive oil, add cabbage and salt, and fry 5–6 minutes until soft but not mushy.
Combine: Return meatballs to the garlic-butter pan and toss to coat.
Serve: Plate the cabbage noodles, top with meatballs and sauce, and sprinkle with extra parmesan.

Nutrition

(per serving)

Calories: 480
Fat: 36 g
Protein: 32 g
Net Carbs: 6 g

FAQ

Can I use ground chicken or turkey?
Yes — just add 1 tbsp olive oil to keep them juicy.

Is cabbage the only low-carb noodle option?
You can also use zucchini noodles or shirataki, but cabbage holds flavor best.

Can I meal prep this?
Absolutely. Keeps 3–4 days in the fridge and reheats well.

Can I skip the lemon?
You can, but a little acidity balances the butter perfectly.

Variations & Substitutions

Add chili flakes for a spicy kick.
Mix in spinach or kale to the sauce.
Swap parmesan for pecorino for a sharper flavor.
Use ghee instead of butter for dairy-free.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a sprinkle of parmesan and fresh parsley. Pairs well with sparkling water or a light keto lemonade for lunch.

Recipe Card

Keto Garlic Butter Meatballs with Cabbage Noodles

Name: Keto Garlic Butter Meatballs with Cabbage Noodles
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 3–4 servings
Cuisine: Comfort / Keto
Ingredients: 500 g ground beef (or beef/pork blend); 1 large egg; 30 g grated parmesan; 1 tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp salt; ¼ tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp chopped parsley; 1 tbsp olive oil (for frying); 60 g unsalted butter; 3 cloves garlic, minced; Juice of ½ lemon; ½ medium head cabbage, finely shredded; 1 tbsp olive oil (for cabbage); Salt to taste

Juicy meatballs drenched in garlicky butter sauce, served over tender cabbage noodles — rich, savory, and low-carb comfort food done right.

Yield: 3–4 servings | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 25 mins

Keto Garlic Butter Meatballs with Cabbage Noodles

Ingredients

500 g ground beef (or beef/pork blend)
1 large egg
30 g grated parmesan
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
60 g unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of ½ lemon
½ medium head cabbage, finely shredded
1 tbsp olive oil (for cabbage)
Salt to taste

Instructions

In a bowl, mix ground beef, egg, parmesan, garlic powder, salt, pepper and parsley. Form into 12 meatballs.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear meatballs on all sides (~6-8 min) until browned. Remove and set aside.
In same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic. Cook about 30 seconds until fragrant then stir in lemon juice.
In a separate pan, heat olive oil for cabbage. Add shredded cabbage and salt; sauté 5-6 minutes until tender but still slightly crisp.
Return meatballs to garlic butter sauce, coat thoroughly.
Plate cabbage “noodles”, top with meatballs and sauce, sprinkle extra parmesan and parsley if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 480
Fat: 36 g
Protein: 32 g
Net Carbs: 6 g

Lunch | Comfort / Keto | keto meatballs, garlic butter keto, cabbage noodles low carb

Final Thoughts

Keto food shouldn’t feel like a diet — and this dish proves it. Juicy meatballs, silky garlic butter, and cabbage that pretends to be pasta? It’s the kind of meal that makes you forget bread even exists. Quick, satisfying, and straight-up addictive. 🍽️🧈💚