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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Recipes

    Vegan Lentil Meatballs

    Published: Dec 7, 2020 · Updated: Dec 7, 2020 · by Nicole · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    the perfect party dish or complement to spaghetti
    the perfect party dish or complement to spaghetti
    the perfect party dish or complement to spaghetti
    the perfect party dish or complement to spaghetti
    the perfect party dish or complement to spaghetti

    These vegan lentil meatballs make for the perfect party dish or complement to spaghetti. Served along with a flavorful marinara sauce, they make for a delicious, filling meal.

    vegan lentil meatballs in a blue serving bowl

    Not only are these vegan meatballs tasty—but they’re easy to make too! And they’re even better than store bought vegan meatballs!

    To make them, all you do is mix the ingredients together, form them into balls, stick them in the fridge to set, and then fry them up. It’s really that simple! And the lentils give them that perfect texture—plus they taste amazing with the fragrant marinara sauce.

    These vegan lentil meatballs are: 

    • vegan
    • vegetarian
    • plant-based
    • gluten-free
    • Italian-inspired cuisine
    • ready in 40 minutes
    • a delicious meal or party food

    How to Make Vegan Lentil Meatballs

    collage of images showing how to make vegan lentil meatballs
    collage
    1. Start by making the vegan lentil meatballs.
    2. Place a non-stick skillet on the stovetop, and add a tablespoon of oil or water. 
    3. Once the oil is hot, add the shallots and garlic and sauté. 
    4. Remove the skillet from the heat, and let it cool down. 
    5. In a large bowl, add the lentils, oats, tomato, tomato paste, celery, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt, and pepper. 
    6. Combine the ingredients with your hands—but don’t overmix it. 
    7. A textured dough will form. 
    8. Taste and adjust the flavor as needed. 
    9. If the dough is too wet, add some more oats. 
    10. Form the dough into small balls using your hands. 
    11. Place the balls on a plate, and put them in the refrigerator to set. 
    12. While these are setting, you can start on the marinara sauce. 
    13. Place a pot on the stove and add oil and garlic. 
    14. Sauté the garlic, stirring frequently. 
    15. Add the dried oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Sauté. 
    16. Add the tomatoes, salt, and sugar to the pot and stir. 
    17. Simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally. 
    18. Taste the sauce, and adjust the flavor as needed before removing from the heat. 
    19. Once the vegan lentil meatballs have set, take the pan you used earlier and add the rest of the oil. 
    20. Once the oil is hot, add the vegan lentil meatballs and sauté until each side is golden brown. 
    21. Transfer the vegan meatballs to a paper towel to absorb the excess oil. 
    22. Then, they’re ready to be served! They can be dipped in the marinara sauce, or they can be added to a pasta for a delicious spaghetti and vegan meatballs meal.

    Scroll down for the full recipe with measurements and detailed instructions.

    vegan lentil meatballs in marinara sauce, being served in a white bowl

    Tips & Tricks

    Leftovers

    You can store these vegan lentil meatballs in the fridge for 4 days or freeze them for 1 month. Just put them in the fridge overnight to thaw!

    Variations

    vegan lentil meatballs being served in a blue dish

    Coconut Cream Curry

    Instead of making spaghetti and meatballs, you can easily make a coconut cream curry to go with your vegan meatballs and rice. 

    Just make a couple little changes to the spices. Instead of celery, thyme, cayenne pepper in your vegan meatballs, you can add coriander and ginger.

    Mediterranean Style

    To give these vegan lentil meatballs a Mediterranean flavor, switch out the celery, thyme, cayenne pepper, and cumin for cinnamon, all spice, and nutmeg.

    FAQs About Vegan Lentil Meatballs

    vegetarian lentil meatballs with marinara sauce

     What are vegan meatballs made of?

    Typically, you can find vegan meatballs made out of soy, tofu, or lentils. This vegan lentil meatball recipe is especially delicious though because it’s packed with spices and herbs that make them extra flavorful.

    the perfect party dish or complement to spaghetti

    Vegan Lentil Meatballs

    These vegan lentil meatballs make for the perfect party dish or complement to spaghetti. Served along with a flavorful marinara sauce, they make for a delicious, filling meal.
    4.67 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Save Saved!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: gluten free, Italian, vegan
    Keyword: lentil vegballs, vegan lentil meatballs
    Prep Time: 25 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Calories: 62kcal
    Author: Delicious Everyday
    25 small balls

    Ingredients

    For Vegballs

    • 14 oz canned lentils 400g, drained and rinsed
    • 1 cup Oats
    • 1 Italian peeled tomato or 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 1 small shallot diced
    • 3 garlic cloves chopped
    • ¼ cup celery chopped
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 3 tablespoon tablespoons oil divided, or water
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • ½ tablespoon cumin powder optional
    • pinch salt
    • pinch pepper

    For Marina Sauce

    • 28 oz peeled tomatoes canned, 800g
    • 1 tablespoon oil
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 teaspoon brown sugar optional
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flake
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    For Marina Sauce

    • Heat a pot over medium - low heat. Once hot, add oil and garlic, sauté for 30 seconds stirring frequently then add herbs and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 10 seconds.
      the perfect party dish or complement to spaghetti
    • Add tomatoes, sugar and salt. Stir and bring to a simmer on medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes by stirring occasionally.
    • Taste and adjust as needed. Remove from heat.

    For Vegballs

    • Heat a non stick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 tablespoon oil (or water), shallot and garlic. Sauté for 2 - 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Let it cool down (reserve your pan for the vegballs).
      the perfect party dish or complement to spaghetti
    • In a big bowl, add all ingredients except the remaining oil. Combine with your hands (don't overmix) until a textured dough forms. Taste and adjust flavor as needed.
      the perfect party dish or complement to spaghetti
    • If dough is too wet, add a bit more oats.
      the perfect party dish or complement to spaghetti
    • Gently form small balls using your hands. Add to a plate and store in refrigerator for 15 minutes.
    • After 15 minutes, heat the pan you used earlier with 2 tablespoons oil. Once hot, add the vegballs and sauté until each side are golden brown. Transfer on kitchen paper to absorb the excess of oil.
      the perfect party dish or complement to spaghetti
    • The vegballs can be served as it is with dips or you can add some marinara sauce. If you want as lunch or dinner, they are delicious on pasta.
      the perfect party dish or complement to spaghetti

    Nutrition (Estimated)

    Calories: 62kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 94mgPotassium: 170mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 75IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg
    Shop our Cookbooks!Check out our collection of vegetarian and vegan cookbooks for more tasty meatless recipe ideas.

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    Nicole - Vegetarian Food Blogger

    Nicole is a 25+ year vegetarian, and author of a vegan cookbook. She shares her recipes on Delicious Everyday, an award-winning vegetarian and vegan food blog.  About Nicole

    the one pot vegan cookbook, by nicole malik
    5 day vegetarian challenge

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