• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cassidy's Craveable Creations logo

  • Recipes
  • Start Keto
  • Meal Plans
  • Login
  • Patreon
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Start Keto
  • Meal Plans
  • Login
  • Patreon
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Start Keto
    • Meal Plans
    • Login
    • Patreon
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ร—
    Home ยป Keto

    Keto Meat Sauce {Paleo & Whole30}

    Published: May 8, 2019 Updated: Jun 1, 2020 By: Cassidy Stauffer May earn from affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinnable image of keto meat sauce

    This perfect, simple keto meat sauce is gluten-free, full of flavor, and a cinch to make. Serve over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash to keep it Keto, Paleo, and Whole30!

    close up of keto meat sauce in cast iron skillet

    Even though I have a Bolognese Sauce I love, I've been trying to perfect a keto meat sauce with for what seems like years now. I've tried everything... cooking it in a crockpot, letting it simmer for hours, adding pork chops for flavor, and all kinds of crazy spice combinations.

    In the end, though, I always come back to a basic homemade meat sauce with classic seasonings using an onion, bell pepper, bay leaf, garlic, and Italian spices. It's a classic meat sauce recipe that's full of flavor and a cinch to make.

    Tomatoes are naturally high in carbs, so many people don't consider spaghetti sauce to be Keto-friendly.

    But by making the sauce by scratch with no added sugars and eating it in moderation, spaghetti meat sauce can be incorporated into a Keto diet. As long as you don't go crazy and eat the whole pot, lol!

    Jump to:
    • ๐Ÿ”ช Easy Steps
    • How to serve it
    • ๐Ÿ’ญ Top tips
    • ๐Ÿ“– Recipe
    • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Comments

    🔪 Easy Steps

    Browned beef in cast iron skillet

    Start by browning the beef over medium heat. Remove fat if desired and set aside.

    chopped onion and green pepper on cutting board

    Chop a bell pepper and onion. Then, add it to the heated skillet that the meat was in and cook for 3 -5 minutes or until tender.

    Add 3 cloves garlic and cook until fragrant, around 30 seconds. Add โ…“ cup beef broth and allow it to bubble for about a minute and a half.

    Then, add 28 oz of diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoon of tomato paste, and some oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and a bay leaf.

    Close up of spaghetti sauce over noodles on plate

    Stir the beef into the sauce. Cover and simmer 20 minutes. For a thicker sauce, cover and simmer an additional 20 minutes.

    Just before serving, stir in 2 tsp. of balsamic vinegar, dried parsley, basil, and remove the bay leaf.

    How to serve it

    This meat sauce can be served over gluten-free pasta or over spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles for Keto, Whole30, and Paleo.

    Then, to make the meal complete, serve with a side salad and keto dinner rolls.

    💭 Top tips

    • Tomatoes are naturally high in carbs, so many people don't consider spaghetti sauce to be keto-friendly. But by making the sauce by scratch with no added sugars and eating it in moderation, spaghetti meat sauce can be incorporated into a Keto diet.
    • If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can simmer it an additional 20 minutes or until it's the thickness you prefer.
    • The balsamic vinegar is my secret ingredient that adds a depth of flavor and a tart-sweetness you don't want to miss - so don't skip it!

    Looking for more Keto recipes? Check out this ultimate roundup of Easy Keto Family Family Dinner Recipes! Or these Keto Swedish Meatballs from That's Low Carb?! look pretty amazing also!!!

    If you’ve tried this Keto Meat Sauce or any other recipe on the blog please let me know in the comments below!

    Craving more? FOLLOW ME on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, or E-Mail to see more delicious food and find out what I’ve been up to!

    ๐Ÿ“– Recipe

    close up of keto meat sauce in cast iron skillet

    Keto Meat Sauce

    This perfect, simple keto meat sauce is gluten free, dairy free, and a cinch to make. Serve over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash to make it Paleo and Keto!
    4.82 from 11 votes
    Print Pin SaveSaved!
    Add to Meal PlanGo to Collections
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    CALORIES :166kcal
    CARBS :9g
    FIBER :2g
    Author: Cassidy Stauffer

    Ingredients

    • 1 Lb. Ground Beef
    • ½ Onion - Chopped
    • 1 Green Bell Pepper - Chopped
    • 2 - 3 Tbsp. Avocado or Olive Oil
    • 3 Cloves Garlic - Minced
    • ⅓ C Beef Broth
    • 28 oz. Crushed Tomatoes
    • 2 Tbsp. Tomato Paste
    • ¼ tsp. Oregano
    • ¼ tsp. Ground Thyme
    • 1 ½ tsp. Salt - or to taste
    • 1 Bay Leaf
    • ¼ tsp. Ground Pepper
    • 2 tsp. Balsamic Vinegar
    • ¼ C Dried Parsley - about ยฝ C is using fresh
    • 2 Tbsp. Fresh Basil - finely chopped (or 1 Tbsp. dried)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Heat 2 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add the beef. Brown beef and set aside.
    • Add additional oil if needed, then add onion and bell pepper and cook 3 - 5 minutes or until tender.
    • Add garlic and cook about 1 minute or until fragrant.
    • Stir in beef broth and allow to reduce for about 1 ยฝ minutes.
    • Then, stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, thyme, salt, bay leaf, and pepper.
    • Add in the browned beef, cover and simmer 20 minutes. For a thicker sauce, stir and simmer another 20 minutes, covered.
    • Remove the bay leaf, then stir in the parsley, balsamic vinegar, and basil.
    • Serve over gluten free noodles, spaghetti squash, or zucchini noodles.

    Add Your Own Notes

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Notes

    • Tomatoes are naturally high in carbs, so many people don't consider spaghetti sauce to be Keto-friendly. But by making the sauce by scratch with no added sugars and eating it in moderation, spaghetti meat sauce can be incorporated into a Keto diet.
    • If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can simmer it an additional 20 minutes or until it's the thickness you prefer.
    • The balsamic vinegar is my secret ingredient that adds a depth of flavor and a tart-sweetness you don't want to miss - so don't skip it!
    • Leftovers can be stored, tightly covered, 3 to 4 days in the fridge or 3 -4 months in the freezer.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 166kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 597mg | Potassium: 563mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 535IU | Vitamin C: 23.9mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 3.2mg

    NET CARBS = Total Carbs - Fiber - Allulose - Xylitol

    Nutritional information is approximate and may vary. Sugar alcohols, xylitol, and allulose are included in the total carbs and fiber.

    Looking for more information on the keto diet? Check out my

    Keto Resources
    Did You Try This Recipe?Mention @CassidysCraveableCreations so I can take a look!

    More Gluten Free Keto Recipes

    • square image of green bean casserole with bacon on a white plate.
      Easy Weeknight Low-Carb Green Bean Casserole
    • square image of kielbasa and veggies on a sheet pan.
      Patreon: Keto Sheet Pan Kielbasa With Veggies
    • banana smoothie with garnishes.
      Keto Banana Smoothie
    • chocolate smoothies in glasses with strawberries.
      Patreon: Keto Chocolate Smoothie
    2.6K shares
    • 298

    Cassidy is a certified keto and intermittent fasting health coach and a mom of two teenagers, one of whom has autism and epilepsy. For the well-being of her family, she serves up easy, kid-approved recipes that are gluten-free and keto with many dairy-free and paleo options. She's passionate about creating healthy, allergy-friendly food that's just as good as the original!

    Read Moreโ€ฆ

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Terry says

      April 26, 2023 at 12:56 am

      5 stars
      We made this tonight and it was phenomenal. Nothing short of noteworthy. Instead of ground meat, we made meatballs, lightly browned them a bit, made the sauce then added meatballs and simmered.

      Simply scrumptious!!

      Reply
      • Cassidy says

        April 26, 2023 at 12:54 pm

        YAY, I'm so glad you liked it! ...and I will have to try it with meatballs, sounds delicious ๐Ÿ˜‹

        XO,
        Cassidy

        Reply
    2. Kim says

      November 01, 2021 at 12:09 am

      5 stars
      Hubby loved this as much as I did, which makes your sauce a winner! Thank you so much! It is fabulous and easy to make!

      Reply
      • Cassidy Stauffer says

        November 01, 2021 at 2:15 pm

        Thank you!! I'm so happy you and your hubby loved it๐Ÿ˜

        XO,
        Cassidy

        Reply
    3. Jessica says

      June 01, 2020 at 1:02 am

      5 stars
      Made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious. Easy to follow.

      How long would this sauce keep in the fridge?

      Reply
      • Cassidy Stauffer says

        June 01, 2020 at 1:21 pm

        Hi Jessica!

        Thank you, I'm so happy you liked it! It will stay covered in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or can be frozen up to 4 months ๐Ÿ™‚

        -Cassidy

        Reply
    4. Ashlyn says

      February 19, 2020 at 6:50 am

      About how much cups is 1/8 the recipe?

      Reply
      • Cassidy Stauffer says

        February 19, 2020 at 2:38 pm

        I'm not sure exactly, I'll measure it out next time I make it. Sorry!

        -Cassidy

        Reply
    5. Shannon says

      October 03, 2019 at 2:28 pm

      5 stars
      Do you have a nutritional and calorie count for this recipe? Thanks so much!!!

      Reply
      • Cassidy Stauffer says

        October 03, 2019 at 3:04 pm

        Hi Shannon! The nutritional info is at the bottom of the recipe card is for 1/8th of the recipe. I hope that helps!

        -Cassidy

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Pinnable image of keto meat sauce
    Head Shot Of Cassidy Stauffer

    Hi, I'm Cassidy! I'm a certified keto and intermittent fasting coach and am a mom of two teenagers, one of whom has autism and epilepsy. For the well-being of my family, I serve up easy, kid-approved recipes that are gluten-free and keto with many dairy-free and paleo options. I'm passionate about creating healthy, allergy-friendly food that's just as good as the original!

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Overhead shot of meatball soup in a pot
    • Overhead shot of lasagna soup
    • Homemade mayo in small mason jar with ingredients in the background
    • overhead shot of shredded chicken in a white bowl
    • close up of a fork cutting a piece of salmon
    • overhead shot of keto oatmeal with pecans

    Footer

    • Login
    • Logout

    Footer

    Pinnable image of keto meat sauce

    ↑ back to top ↑

    About/Contact

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosures
    • Contact
    • About Me

    Membership

    • Become A Patreon
    • Sign Up For Free Meal Planning
    • Cancel Membership

    Keto Resources

    • Start A Keto Diet
    • Keto Calculator
    • Keto Breads E-Book
    • Recipes
    • Watch My Web Stories!

    Cassidy's Craveable Creations BBB Business Review
    "as seen in" image

    Copyright @ 2025 Cassidy's Craveable Creations

    2.6K shares
    • 298

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    Name and email are required