Vegetarian BBQ Meatballs

Satisfy your comfort food cravings with these mouthwatering Vegetarian BBQ Meatballs, a hearty plant-based twist on a classic favorite! Made with tender brown lentils, savory sautéed onions, earthy mushrooms, and a smoky blend of spices like cumin and smoked paprika, these meatballs are packed with rich flavor and satisfying texture. The addition of grated Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs creates the perfect balance of softness and structure, while a generous helping of BBQ sauce brings a sweet and tangy glaze that’s irresistible. Perfectly baked until golden and garnished with fresh parsley, these vegetarian meatballs are a crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or game day snacks. Serve with extra BBQ sauce for dipping or pair with a crisp salad for a wholesome meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Brown lentils
• 2 cups Water
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 cup Mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 large Egg
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils under cold water and place them in a medium saucepan with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the chopped mushrooms and cook until they have released their moisture and are browned, another 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

In a large bowl, combine the cooked lentils, sautéed vegetables, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until thoroughly combined.

Step 6

Using your hands, form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven and brush the tops with additional BBQ sauce if desired.

Step 8

Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the meatballs are browned and firm to the touch.

Step 9

Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm with extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1521.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1717.7

Total Fat 67.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 299.5mg	0%
Sodium 6361.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 210.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 31.9g	0%
Total Sugars 79.2g
Protein 87.0g	0%

Vitamin D 67.8IU	0%
Calcium 1265.1mg	0%
Iron 19.2mg	0%
Potassium 2325.6mg	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: 33.9%

Protein: 19.3%

Carbs: 46.8%