Vegetarian Classic Italian Meatballs

Transform your meatless menu with these hearty and flavorful Vegetarian Classic Italian Meatballs, a plant-based twist on the timeless Italian dish! Crafted with wholesome cooked lentils, savory Parmesan cheese, and a medley of aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, these meatballs deliver a perfect blend of texture and taste. Golden-crisped to perfection and simmered in a rich tomato sauce, they’re a mouthwatering choice for vegetarians and meat lovers alike. Whether served atop al dente pasta, nestled in a crusty sub roll, or savored solo, this recipe redefines Italian comfort food with its simplicity and versatility. Ready in under an hour, these vegetarian delights bring a satisfying, protein-packed option to your table, perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked lentils
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 cup finely chopped onion
• 0.25 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cloves minced garlic cloves
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
• 2 cups tomato sauce

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked lentils, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped onion, parsley, and minced garlic. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.

Step 2

In a separate small bowl, beat the egg and then stir in the milk, olive oil, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Pour the egg mixture into the lentil mixture. Stir everything together until the ingredients are well combined and start to hold together.

Step 4

Using your hands, form the mixture into small, round balls approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Aim for uniform size for even cooking. This should make about 16 meatballs.

Step 5

In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.

Step 6

Cook the meatballs for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Use tongs or a spatula to gently turn them.

Step 7

Once cooked, transfer the meatballs to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Step 8

In a saucepan, heat the tomato sauce over medium heat until it begins to simmer.

Step 9

Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and let them simmer together for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 10

Serve the vegetarian meatballs hot, either on their own, with pasta, or as part of a sub sandwich.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1165.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1841.8

Total Fat 115.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 230.0mg	0%
Sodium 4303.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 154.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.3g	0%
Total Sugars 27.7g
Protein 63.8g	0%

Vitamin D 60.5IU	0%
Calcium 836.9mg	0%
Iron 20.4mg	0%
Potassium 1567.1mg	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: 54.2%

Protein: 13.4%

Carbs: 32.4%