Vegetarian Classic Meatball Sandwich

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food makeover with this Vegetarian Classic Meatball Sandwich, a hearty and satisfying twist on the traditional favorite. Packed with protein-rich brown lentils, savory Parmesan cheese, and a blend of Italian-inspired herbs, these meatless meatballs are browned to perfection and then baked in a rich marinara sauce for an extra burst of flavor. Nestled inside toasted sub rolls and topped with gooey, melted provolone cheese, this sandwich delivers all the nostalgic flavors of a classic meatball sub—without the meat! Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing weekend lunch, this recipe is ready in under an hour and serves up a filling, vegetarian-friendly feast.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked brown lentils
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 unit large egg
• 2 units garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 4 units sub rolls
• 4 units provolone cheese slices

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked brown lentils, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is firm enough to form balls.

Step 3

Using your hands, form the mixture into small balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.

Step 4

Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the lentil meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Transfer the browned meatballs to a baking dish and cover them with marinara sauce.

Step 6

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce is bubbling.

Step 7

While the meatballs are baking, cut the sub rolls open and toast them lightly in the oven or a toaster oven until golden brown.

Step 8

Once the meatballs are ready, place 3-4 meatballs along with some sauce into each sub roll.

Step 9

Add a slice of provolone cheese on top of the meatballs in each sandwich.

Step 10

Place the assembled sandwiches back in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese has melted.

Step 11

Serve hot and enjoy your Vegetarian Classic Meatball Sandwich.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1214.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2049.8

Total Fat 68.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 221.1mg	0%
Sodium 4852.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 281.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 30.3g	0%
Total Sugars 33.4g
Protein 83.3g	0%

Vitamin D 41IU	0%
Calcium 676.6mg	0%
Iron 20.2mg	0%
Potassium 1181.3mg	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: 29.6%

Protein: 16.1%

Carbs: 54.3%