Craving meatballs with marinara sauce but avoiding tomatoes or nightshades? These easy AIP meatballs are savory, simple to make, and delicious served with Nada Mato Tomato-Free Pasta Sauce.
This AIP, Paleo and Whole30-friendly meatball recipe takes just 10 minutes to prep and is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or batch cooking. Make extra, freeze them, and you'll have a quick tomato-free meal ready whenever you need it. ❤️
Best of all, these meatballs are made without breadcrumbs, eggs, dairy or tomatoes, making them a great alternative to traditional Italian meatballs for anyone following an AIP or nightshade-free diet.
Before you begin
This recipe is shared for general information. Check every ingredient label and adapt it to your allergies, dietary protocol, and healthcare professional's guidance.
🥩 AIP Meatball Ingredients
- 1 lb grass-fed ground beef
- ½ cup minced onion
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1½ tbsp Italian seasoning*
- 1 tbsp full-fat coconut milk
- ½ tbsp arrowroot powder or tapioca starch
- 1 bottle (16 oz) Nada Mato Tomato-Free Pasta Sauce
- AIP note: Check your Italian seasoning carefully. Some blends contain black pepper, red pepper or other ingredients that may not fit the elimination phase of AIP. Choose an AIP-compatible blend or make your own with herbs such as basil, oregano, thyme and rosemary.
🍝 How to Make AIP Meatballs
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Mix the Meatballs
Add the ground beef, onion, seasonings, coconut milk and arrowroot powder or tapioca starch to a bowl.
Gently mix until the ingredients are evenly combined. Avoid overmixing, which can make the meatballs too dense.
Step 3: Shape & Bake
Roll the mixture into meatballs in your preferred size and arrange them on a baking sheet.
Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked and the center reaches 160°F.
Step 4: Add the Tomato-Free Marinara 🍅🚫
Warm your Nada Mato Tomato-Free Pasta Sauce, pour it generously over the meatballs and enjoy!
Serve them on their own or pair them with your favorite AIP-friendly vegetables or pasta alternative for a complete meal.
🔥Easy AIP Meal Prep
These meatballs are great for AIP meal prep. Make a larger batch, freeze the cooked meatballs, and reheat them whenever you need a quick dinner.
Keep a bottle of Nada Mato Pasta Sauce in the pantry, and you can have tomato-free meatballs with marinara sauce on the table in minutes.
❤️ Meatballs & Marinara—Without the Tomatoes
Following an AIP, Paleo or nightshade-free diet doesn't mean giving up comfort-food favorites.
These easy AIP meatballs with tomato-free marinara sauce deliver the savory Italian-inspired flavor of meatballs and marinara without traditional tomato sauce.
🍝 Ready to Make Them?
Serve your meatballs with Nada Mato Tomato-Free Pasta Sauce for a delicious tomato-free twist on classic meatballs and marinara.
