Vegetarian meatballs can be made with a variety of ingredients. These meatless meatballs are made with lentils….I guess you can call them lentil balls?
There may not be any actual meat in these vegetarian lentil “meat” balls, but they are so satisfying you won’t even know the difference. Even your biggest meat eater will love these meatless lentil balls.
The night I made these The Hubs came home from work and asked what was for dinner. I told him “lentil balls” and he made a face. After having a few bites his tune quickly changed, and he exclaimed how excellent these tasted. I agree. This is one of the best vegetarian dishes I have ever made. The fact that The Hubs actually said out loud that he liked them is a huge indicator of their tastiness.
Not only were they super delish for dinner, but possibly even better for lunch the next day, and that’s coming from me who is NOT generally a leftover person.
So they won over a meat lover, a leftover hater and I’m pretty sure few of my veggie friends who were over last weekend will attest to their deliciousness as well.
Vegetarian Lentil “Meat” Balls
Vegetarian meatballs can be made with a variety of ingredients. These meatless meatballs are made with lentils....I guess you can call them lentil balls?
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried lentils
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 carrots chopped
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper chopped
- 1 ear of fresh corn kernels removed from the cob
- 1/2 cup broccoli chopped
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1-6 oz can tomato paste
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2/3 cup bread crumbs
Instructions
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Combine the lentils and 2 quarts water in a medium stockpot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the lentils are soft (but not falling apart), about 25 minutes. Drain the lentils and allow to cool.
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Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil to a large frying pan and sauté the onions, carrots, pepper, corn, broccoli, garlic, thyme, and salt over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and just beginning to brown.
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Add the tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes.
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Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and allow to cool to room temperature. When cool, add the lentils to the vegetable mixture.
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Add the eggs, Parmesan, and bread crumbs to the cooled vegetable mixture and mix by hand until thoroughly incorporated. Place in the refrigerator for 25 minutes.
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Preheat the oven to 400°F.
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Coat a 13X9 baking dish in cooking spray
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Roll the mixture into round, meatballs (about 2 1/2 inches), making sure to pack the vegetable mixture firmly. Place the balls in the prepared baking dish in even rows.
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Roast for 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are firm and cooked through.
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Allow the meatballs to cool for 5 minutes in the baking dish before serving.
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I served mine with sun-dried tomato pesto but any sauce will do
This healthy vegetarian meal was a welcome addition to my life after all the vacation binge eating and drinking I’ve done over the last month. Next week I have a round-up of super nutritious vegetarian meals planned for my features section.
Summer is the ideal time to get your veggies since everything is fresh. If you want to fill up on hearty meats during the winter, fine. But try to take advantage of bountiful fresh produce while you can!
If you have an awesome vegetarian dish you’d like me to try, leave a comment and let me know what it is!
Nicole says
yum! Can’t wait to try these!
Dorothy at ShockinglyDelicious says
Looking VERY good!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks says
These look delicious, Betsy! I just bought a bag of lentils. I was going to make a lentil stew but I may make these instead! Pinned.
betsy says
Hooray! I’m so obsessed. I think you’ll love them!
KAREN says
I WOULD LOVE TO TRY THESE MEATLESS MEATBALLS. BEING VEGAN, I WOULD NEED TO FIND A REPLACEMENT FOR THE EGGS. ANY SUGGESTIONS?
THANK YOU.
KAREN
betsy says
I’m sure a flax “egg” would work. Here’s a link if you haven’t done this before http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2011/10/how-to-make-a-flax-egg-for-vegan-baking-the-right-way/
Teresa Peterson says
Just made a huge batch of these for dinner tonight, can’t wait to try them!
betsy says
How’d it go?
Karla says
Do you know the serving size and the nutritional value?
betsy says
I don’t know for sure. Sorry!
Helly says
I was wondering whether you used a particular lentil here? Or could I use any id like to?
betsy says
I used brown lentils for this one. I wouldn’t use red, as they tend to get a bit mushier but all other lentils should work