Lentil Meatballs Recipe (No Breadcrumbs!)

I’m excited to share this lentil meatball recipe with you right now as a result of it took me endlessly to determine it out. I knew I wished so as to add additional veggies inside and have the feel be excellent. (Like a type of tender meatballs you’d get at a pleasant Italian restaurant.)

In case you’re new right here, I additionally attempt to make recipes as simple as humanly doable, which suggests I begin with shortcuts, like utilizing pre-cooked lentils. I attempted beginning with uncooked mushrooms pulverized instantly into the meatball combination… however it’s not practically as good as cooking the mushrooms with onion first. So simply know that taking 10 minutes to prepare dinner the mushrooms is price it.

The result’s a scrumptious vegetarian meatball that’s made with out breadcrumbs, so it’s naturally gluten-free. And so scrumptious!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Overview

“My meat consuming boys loved them! They’re not even lentil followers however all of them ate them with no complaining! I’ll undoubtedly make them once more. Thanks!” – Katie

Lentil Meatball Substances

• Lentils. I begin with pre-cooked lentils to avoid wasting time. You should buy these canned or in a vacuum-sealed pack within the refrigerated part of your grocery retailer. Or prepare dinner inexperienced or brown lentils from scratch, for those who want. (They take about 20 minutes as soon as your water is boiling.)
• Rolled Oats. I initially examined this recipe with cooked brown rice, however since that’s not an ingredient that folks all the time have within the pantry, I landed on utilizing rolled oats as an alternative. You’ll want to purchase licensed gluten-free oats for those who want a gluten-free recipe.
• Parmesan Cheese. This acts each as a binder and a breadcrumb substitute. Plus, it provides a salty taste increase! See the FAQ part beneath for those who want a vegan recipe thought.
• Egg. This can be a conventional binder in meatball recipes, and it helps add a extra genuine texture to those vegetarian meatballs. Plus, it provides additional protein!
• Veggies. Sautéed onion and mushrooms add much-needed texture, so the meatballs don’t prove dry or chalky within the middle. Cooking them first improves the feel and taste.
• Pantry Spices. I take advantage of dried spices to make the prep work as simple as doable. Oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper assist create a flavorful combination. (Notice: I all the time use Actual Salt model when testing my recipes; for those who use common white desk salt, chances are you’ll not want fairly as a lot salt, since they style totally different.)

The right way to Make Lentil Meatballs

Step 1:

Preheat the oven to 400ºF and line a big baking sheet with parchment paper.

Drizzle olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high warmth. Sauté the onions and mushrooms till tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Mushrooms launch liquid as they prepare dinner, so most of that ought to evaporate. 

Set these apart to chill briefly as you progress on to the following step.

Step 2:

Within the bowl of a 12-cup meals processor fitted with an S blade, add the cooked lentils, Parmesan cheese, rolled oats, egg, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. 

When the greens have cooled barely, switch them to the bowl. Safe the lid and pulse the combination a number of instances. It ought to look comparatively uniform however nonetheless have a visual texture with oats, onions, and lentils all through. (See photographs for reference.)

When you puree the combination, the meatballs might develop a mushy middle. So, it’s finest to not course of for too lengthy!

Step 3:

Use a heaping tablespoon or cookie scoop to scoop the lentil meatball combination from the bowl. Roll it between your palms to kind a ball, then set it on the ready pan. Repeat with the remaining combination till you make about 24 balls. 

Bake at 400ºF for 15 to twenty minutes. When they’re performed, your own home will scent like an Italian restaurant! The balls might really feel barely tender when they’re scorching from the oven, however they are going to agency up extra as they cool. 

Vegetarian Meatball Serving Suggestions

Simmer these lentil meatballs in your favourite marinara sauce, then serve over your favourite pasta (gluten-free pasta if wanted). They’ve a incredible taste!

Storage Tip: Leftover meatballs might be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. They reheat simply and make a superb topping for salads or rice bowls.

Extra Recipes to Strive

When you do this lentil meatball recipe, please depart a remark and star ranking beneath, letting me understand how you prefer it.