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I don’t know what it is about this round of Whole30 but the only thing I have been craving is Indian food. Like, a non-stop craving could, eat it for every meal. Probably because it is packed full of flavor, filling, and comforting. And these Easy Tikka Masala Meatballs help with all the feels. 
These Easy Tikka Masala Meatballs are a fun, quick and easy rendition of my Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala. I really wanted that for dinner the other night and didn’t have the ingredients. I did, however, have ingredients to make meatballs. Combine that with a yummy curry sauce and DINNER IS SERVED! So much flavor and oh-so easy.
Tikka Masala Meatballs
2017-12-18 09:18:05
Serves 2
A whole30, quick and easy rendition of Tikka Masala in Meatball form!
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
35 min
For the Meatballs
- 1/2 lb. ground veal
- 1 lb. ground beef (you can sub chicken or turkey, too)
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup almond flour
For the Sauce
- 1/4 white or yellow onion, diced
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp tomato paste
- 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp. ground turmeric
- 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tbsp. curry powder
- 1 (13.5oz) can full fat, unsweetened coconut milk
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- kosher salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- Cilantro, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a bowl, combine all of the 'for the meatballs' ingredients. Using your hands, gently combine.
- With a melon baller or a teaspoon, drop ~1 - 1 1/4 inch balls onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet (or 2). Using your hands, go back through and roll the meatballs into round circles, they don't have to be perfect.
- Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned.
- Meanwhile, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tbsp. olive oil and the onion to the skillet and saute until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and the garlic, and saute for 1-2 more minutes.
- Now add the cumin, turmeric, ginger, cayenne, and curry powder. Saute for 2 more minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium. Pour in the coconut milk and whisk vigorously until the spices are combined evenly in the milk.
- Add the juice of 1/2 lemon, and a little salt and pepper, to taste.
- Add meatballs back into the sauce and let simmer for about 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve over cauliflower rice and top with fresh cilantro. Enjoy!
Notes
- I served mine over cauliflower rice.
The Defined Dish https://thedefineddish.com/
Hi
Just starting the Whole30 and this looks delicious. Do you stir the coconut milk or take the fat off the top? One ingredient that has stumped us. TIA
I stir it all in. And, if you are cooking another recipe that calls for only a portion of the can, I like to put all contents into a food processor, blender, or use an immersion blender and blend it until it is combined evenly for best results in cooking with coconut milk 🙂
Hi Alex,
Can I crockpot these meatballs in the sauce on low for 6-8 hours? Thanks!
Hi Miranda,
I wouldn’t do these in the crockpot mainly because I find the coconut milk doesn’t hold up well when cooking low and slow. And since that’s the main liquid in this recipe it just won’t work. Be sure to check out my Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala, it’s method works perfect slow cooked. https://thedefineddish.com/crockpot-chicken-tikka-masala/
Makes sense! Thanks, Alex!
I love your pan! What brand and size is it? (sorry not related to the meatballs but they do look fabulous!)
It is a Ballarini (the parma line), and it’s a 10 inch! I have it linked on my shop page under kitchen appliances 🙂
I just made this and it is FANTASTIC! It made 4 very generous portions (I doubt I’ll be able to finish one serving in one sitting). The only thing I did different is I blended the sauce before adding the lemon juice and I think it intensified the flavors, in a good way! I served it over coconut caulirice with a side of broccoli.
love the idea of blending it to make it extra silky and creamy!!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Im allergic to almonds. Is there a good sub?
Yes. You can do coconut flour here, or even 1 tbsp arrowroot starch.
Your recipe calls for 1 can of unsweetened full fat coconut milk. What size? I assume you mean about 15 oz and not the small 5 oz? More milk means more sauce 🙂 but I don’t want to dilute the seasonings too much and lose the flavah!
Thanks for pointing that out, I will edit the post now! The can I use and recommend (Thai Kitchen) is a 13.5 oz can!
What do you mean when you say curry….yellow, red? I need more help!?
hi Hazel, I mean just regular curry powder (for indian dishes).
Is this really just 2 servings?
It’s really more like 3.. I usually divide it up so each person has at least 1/2 lb. of meat to be safe. Meatballs make great leftovers and I’d rather people have extra than be hungry from my recipes and they way I divide up serving sizes.. if that makes sense. Just playing it safe 😉
Could I use my arrowroot starch in sub of almond flour? Been craving Indian!
No, not in this recipe. Since arrowroot is a thickener, the only subs I would use is Coconut flour in this recipe. If you do decide to try arrowroot, I’d only use 1 tbsp. of it.
I don’t have veal handy….. Besides reducing the amount of meat I have, will it vastly effect flavor? Or should I be good with ground beef? Can’t wait to make! Thank you 🙂
Yes, you will be fine! I just find that veal helps make the meatballs more tender/less dry! With all that yummy sauce though, the meatballs will be fab regardless!! Enjoy!