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Moist Baked Lentil Meatballs (Vegetarian) Recipe

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3.8 from 4 reviews

These Moist Baked Lentil Meatballs are a hearty, vegetarian-friendly dish that captures the satisfying texture and flavor of traditional meatballs using wholesome lentils and plant-based ingredients. Perfectly seasoned with Italian herbs, garlic, and nutritional yeast, they’re baked to golden perfection and great served alongside pasta, rice, or your favorite sauce.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 20 meatballs

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 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 with 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)
  • Up to 3/4 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs as needed

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
  2. Combine Ingredients: In a food processor or high-speed blender, add the 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 combined but still textured, not completely pureed, to maintain a pleasant bite in the meatballs.
  3. Add Breadcrumbs: Add 1/2 cup of whole wheat breadcrumbs to the mixture and pulse again. If the mixture feels too wet to form into balls, gradually add more breadcrumbs, up to 3/4 cup total, until it holds together well.
  4. Shape Meatballs: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture at a time and roll with clean hands into evenly sized balls. Place them spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
  5. Bake: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure they brown evenly on all sides.
  6. Serve: Once golden and cooked through, serve the lentil meatballs with pasta, rice, or your favorite sauce for a delicious vegetarian meal.

Notes

  • To make a flax egg: combine 1 tbsp ground flaxseed with 3 tbsp water, let sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
  • If not vegan, parmesan cheese can replace nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
  • Adjust breadcrumbs as needed to achieve the right texture that holds shape without being dry.
  • These meatballs freeze well; bake from frozen with a few extra minutes of cook time.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Vegetarian, Italian-inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://iamstarved.com/moist-baked-lentil-meatballs-vegetarian-recipe/