Vegetarian Lentil Quinoa Meatballs
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
These vegetarian lentil quinoa meatballs have great flavor! Try them on spaghetti night, as meatball subs, or as an appetizer with your favorite sauce!
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 5 servings or 20 meatballs
Ingredients
  • ½ cup lentils, rinsed and drained
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • Splash olive oil
  • 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably whole wheat)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp each: Italian seasoning and steak seasoning
  • 3 TBS grated Parmesan
  • 2 TBS nutritional yeast
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 3 cups sauce of choice (marinara for spaghetti)
  • 10 oz spaghetti, cooked
Instructions
  1. Cover the lentils with water. Add the bay leaf and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes and drain, removing the bay leaf.
  2. Combine quinoa with ½ cup water in a rice cooker, or on the stove top. Cook until the quinoa has absorbed all the water.
  3. In a small skillet, combine a splash of olive oil with the diced onion. Saute until the onion is soft and translucent. Mix in balsamic vinegar and stir to incorporate. Place balsamic onions in a large bowl.
  4. Add lentils to the bowl with the onion, and coarsely mash with a large spoon. Mix in cooked quinoa, breadcrumbs, garlic, Italian seasoning, steak seasoning, Parmesan, and nutritional yeast. Taste the mixture and adjust seasonings as necessary. Mix in egg.
  5. Preheat oven to 400 F.
  6. Form the lentil mixture into balls, using 2-3 tablespoons each. You should make about 20 balls. Place the lentil balls on a parchment lined baking sheet, and bake for 20 minutes, flipping half way.
  7. Add 3 cups marinara (or sauce of choice) to a large skillet. Add the baked lentil balls, turning to coat, and bring the sauce to a simmer. Let this simmer for 1-2 minutes, or until well heated.
  8. Serve sauce and lentil balls over cooked spaghetti.
Recipe by Alison's Allspice at https://www.alisonsallspice.com/vegetarian-lentil-quinoa-meatballs/