The Best Vegetarian Meatballs Ever

Get ready to savor *The Best Vegetarian Meatballs Ever*! These hearty, flavor-packed meatballs are made with wholesome ingredients like protein-rich lentils, sautéed mushrooms, and aromatic Italian seasoning, creating the perfect plant-based alternative to classic meatballs. Whether you're vegan (via an easy swap for flax eggs and nutritional yeast) or vegetarian, this recipe delivers on both taste and texture. Baked to golden perfection, these meatballs boast a savory umami kick from soy sauce and Parmesan, balanced by the freshness of chopped parsley. They're easy to prepare, taking just 45 minutes from start to finish, and versatile enough to pair with marinara sauce for pasta night, serve on a sub sandwich, or enjoy as a stand-alone appetizer. Perfect for satisfying cravings without compromising on health or flavor, these vegetarian meatballs are sure to become a household favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Cooked green or brown lentils
• 8 ounces Cremini or button mushrooms
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for vegan option)
• 1 medium Yellow onion
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves
• 1 large Egg (or flax egg for vegan option)
• 0.25 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

Finely chop the mushrooms and onion, or pulse them in a food processor until minced.

Step 3

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Add the mushrooms to the skillet and cook for about 5-6 minutes until they release their liquid and the mixture reduces. Stir in the soy sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes more. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, mash the cooked lentils with a fork or potato masher until they are mostly broken down but still have some texture.

Step 6

Add the mushroom-onion mixture to the lentils along with the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast), egg, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything until well combined.

Step 7

Using your hands or a tablespoon, scoop out portions of the mixture and roll them into 1.5-inch balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 8

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, turning them halfway through for even browning.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving.

Step 10

Serve the vegetarian meatballs with your favorite marinara sauce and pasta, on a sub roll, or as a party appetizer!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1081.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1778.9

Total Fat 74.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 29.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 233.6mg	0%
Sodium 6557.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 183.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 38.9g	0%
Total Sugars 24.4g
Protein 109.9g	0%

Vitamin D 104.5IU	0%
Calcium 1683.1mg	0%
Iron 24.1mg	0%
Potassium 3254.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.4%

Protein: 23.8%

Carbs: 39.8%