Vegan Classic Meatball Sandwich

Savor the comforting flavors of an Italian classic with this Vegan Classic Meatball Sandwich—a plant-based twist on a beloved favorite! Featuring hearty lentil-based meatballs packed with protein and umami from walnuts, nutritional yeast, and soy sauce, this recipe delivers all the satisfying textures and flavors you crave. The meatballs are baked to golden perfection, then smothered in rich marinara sauce and topped with melty vegan cheese shreds for an indulgent finish. Nestled inside toasty hoagie rolls or baguette slices and garnished with fresh basil, each bite is a blissful combination of savory, cheesy, and herby goodness. Ready in under an hour, this easy vegan sandwich is perfect for weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or meal prep. Whether you're a vegan food lover or simply looking for a wholesome, meat-free alternative, this dish is sure to please!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked lentils
• 0.5 cup rolled oats
• 0.5 cup walnuts
• 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
• 6 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups vegan marinara sauce
• 1 cup vegan cheese shreds
• 4 large hoagie rolls or baguette
• 8 fresh basil leaves (optional)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a small bowl, combine flaxseed meal and water. Stir well and let sit for 5 minutes to thicken.

Step 3

In a food processor, combine cooked lentils, oats, walnuts, soy sauce, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.

Step 4

Pulse the mixture until well combined but still slightly chunky, scraping down the sides as needed.

Step 5

Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add the flaxseed meal mixture, and mix until fully combined.

Step 6

Form the mixture into small meatballs, approximately 1 tablespoon each, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 7

Brush the meatballs with olive oil and bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and firm.

Step 8

While the meatballs bake, warm the marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat.

Step 9

Once the meatballs are done, add them to the marinara sauce and gently stir to coat.

Step 10

Slice the hoagie rolls or baguette pieces in half, lengthwise, and toast them lightly if desired.

Step 11

Place a generous amount of meatballs and sauce onto each roll, sprinkle with vegan cheese shreds, and return them to the oven for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted.

Step 12

Garnish each sandwich with fresh basil leaves before serving, if using.

Step 13

Serve the vegan meatball sandwiches hot and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1075.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2919.7

Total Fat 146.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 62.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 31.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5486.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 330.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 40.1g	0%
Total Sugars 21.6g
Protein 87.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2014.4mg	0%
Iron 23.9mg	0%
Potassium 2071.6mg	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: 44.0%

Protein: 11.7%

Carbs: 44.2%