Easy Vegetarian Lentil Meatballs Recipe
This easy vegetarian lentil meatballs recipe offers a delicious, protein-packed alternative to traditional meatballs. Made with cooked lentils, nutritional yeast, and Italian seasonings, these meatballs are baked to golden perfection and are perfect served with pasta, rice, or your favorite sauce. A healthy, flavorful plant-based dish that’s simple to prepare and satisfying for any meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 16-18 meatballs 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegetarian, Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetarian Lentil Meatballs Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cooked lentils, brown or green
- 1 large egg (or flax egg)
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 1/2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1 1/2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs (or up to 3/4 cup as needed)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking during baking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the cooked lentils, egg (or flax egg), diced onion, minced garlic, nutritional yeast, Italian seasoning, sea salt, black pepper, and tomato paste. Pulse the mixture until well mixed but still has some texture, avoiding a completely smooth puree.
- Add Breadcrumbs: Gradually add the whole wheat breadcrumbs to the mixture and pulse again. Keep pulsing until the mixture is firm enough to hold its shape when formed into balls.
- Form Meatballs: Using your hands, roll the mixture into 1-inch diameter meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Flip the meatballs halfway through baking to ensure even browning. They should be golden brown and firm when done.
- Serve: Serve these versatile lentil meatballs hot alongside pasta, rice, or your favorite sauce for a satisfying vegetarian meal.
Notes
- Use flax egg as a vegan alternative: mix 1 tbsp ground flaxseed with 3 tbsp water and let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
- If the mixture is too wet, add more breadcrumbs gradually until it holds shape well.
- For extra flavor, consider adding chopped fresh parsley or basil.
- Meatballs can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Reheat baked meatballs in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to retain texture.
Keywords: vegetarian lentil meatballs, baked lentil meatballs, vegetarian main dish, healthy meatballs, plant-based protein, easy lentil recipe
