Moist Baked Lentil Meatballs (Vegetarian) Recipe
These Moist Baked Lentil Meatballs are a delicious vegetarian alternative to traditional meatballs, made with cooked lentils, flavorful seasonings, and whole wheat breadcrumbs. Baked to golden perfection, they’re a healthy and satisfying option to serve alongside pasta, rice, or your favorite sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegetarian American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 1/2 cups cooked lentils (brown or green, canned brown lentils recommended)
- 1 flax egg (or 1 large egg)
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast (can substitute parmesan cheese if not vegan)
- 1 1/2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
- 1 pinch black pepper (to taste)
- 1 1/2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs (can use regular breadcrumbs, add up to 3/4 cup if needed)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and allow for easy cleanup.
- Mix Ingredients: In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine cooked lentils, flax egg (or regular egg), diced onion, minced garlic, nutritional yeast, Italian seasoning, sea salt, black pepper, and tomato paste. Pulse the mixture until everything is combined but still retains some texture, avoiding pureeing it into a smooth paste.
- Add Breadcrumbs: Add the whole wheat breadcrumbs to the mixture and pulse again. Check the consistency and if the mixture feels too wet to shape, gradually add more breadcrumbs up to 3/4 cup.
- Shape Meatballs: Using clean hands, scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture at a time and roll into round meatballs. Place the meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the lentil meatballs in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. Flip them halfway through baking to ensure even browning. They should turn golden brown on all sides when done.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs warm with your choice of pasta, rice, and a sauce such as marinara or pesto for a complete meal.
Notes
- To make a flax egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
- You can substitute nutritional yeast with parmesan cheese if you are not vegan.
- Adding breadcrumbs gradually helps achieve the perfect texture; avoid making the mixture too dry.
- These meatballs freeze well before baking; bake directly from frozen but add a few extra minutes to cooking time.
- Feel free to customize seasonings and add herbs or spice according to your preference.
