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Easy Vegetarian Lentil Meatballs Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

This easy vegetarian lentil meatballs recipe offers a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional meatballs. Made with cooked lentils, whole wheat breadcrumbs, and flavorful Italian seasoning, these meatballs are baked to a perfect golden brown and have a wonderful texture. They're perfect served with pasta, rice, or your favorite sauce for a wholesome, satisfying vegetarian meal.

Ingredients

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

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking during baking.
  2. 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 everything is well mixed but still retains some texture—avoid pureeing into a completely smooth paste.
  3. Add Breadcrumbs: Gradually add the whole wheat breadcrumbs to the mixture and pulse again until the mixture becomes firm enough to hold its shape when rolled into balls.
  4. Form Meatballs: Use your hands to shape the mixture into 1-inch diameter meatballs and arrange them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
  5. Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even browning. They should be golden brown and firm when done.
  6. Serve: Serve the lentil meatballs hot with pasta, rice, or your favorite sauce for a satisfying vegetarian meal.

Notes

  • For a vegan version, replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water, mixed and set to thicken).
  • You can adjust the seasoning to taste, adding extra Italian seasoning or garlic if preferred.
  • If the mixture feels too wet, add more breadcrumbs a tablespoon at a time until it firms up.
  • These meatballs freeze well; freeze uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for quick meals later.
  • Use gluten-free breadcrumbs if following a gluten-free diet.

Find it online: https://lovelycooks.com/easy-vegetarian-lentil-meatballs-recipe/