Vegetarian Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Elevate your next meatless meal with these irresistible Vegetarian Sweet and Sour Meatballs! Made with hearty lentils, savory Parmesan cheese, and a perfect blend of seasonings, these bite-sized wonders are baked to golden perfection for a wholesome twist on a classic dish. Tossed in a tangy, homemade sweet and sour sauce featuring juicy pineapple chunks and vibrant bell peppers, this recipe delivers a mouthwatering balance of flavors. Perfect for serving over fluffy rice, silky noodles, or crisp steamed vegetables, this quick and easy recipe is a weeknight dinner winner that takes just 45 minutes from start to finish. Whether you're looking for a healthy vegetarian option or simply love bold, fresh flavors, these delightful meatballs are sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups cooked lentils
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 piece large egg
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (canned, drained)
• 1 medium bell pepper, chopped
• 0.25 cup rice vinegar
• 0.25 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a medium bowl, combine the cooked lentils, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until the mixture holds together.

Step 3

Using your hands, shape the mixture into meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 4

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, turning them halfway through, until they are firm and golden brown.

Step 5

While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sweet and sour sauce. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 6

Add the chopped bell pepper and sauté for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened. Add the pineapple chunks and cook for another 2 minutes.

Step 7

In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons of water.

Step 8

Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens.

Step 9

Once the meatballs are done baking, gently transfer them to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the meatballs evenly in the sweet and sour sauce.

Step 10

Serve the vegetarian sweet and sour meatballs warm over rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(857.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1467.5

Total Fat 52.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 15.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 226mg	0%
Sodium 4147.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 188.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 31.9g	0%
Total Sugars 46.5g
Protein 68.6g	0%

Vitamin D 41IU	0%
Calcium 792.9mg	0%
Iron 18.3mg	0%
Potassium 1838.2mg	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: 31.4%

Protein: 18.3%

Carbs: 50.3%