Vegetarian Meatballs

By Rena Awada | Updated On November 14, 2020

Vegetarian Meatballs are so delicious and so easy to make. These yummy balls of goodness are hearty, super satisfying, and healthier than regular meatballs! Made with chickpeas, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and a host of other goodies, they’re smothered in a rich marinara sauce. Utter comfort food!

Vegetarian Meatballs in a black skillet.

Hearty and delicious Vegetarian Meatballs are destined to become the new family favorite! Loaded with Italian flavors and covered in bubbling marinara sauce, whether you’re vegetarian or an omnivore, these healthy meatballs really hit the spot! Serve them with noodles or zucchini noodles, rice or cauliflower rice, or some roasted veggies. They are just perfect and so satisfying.

If you’re looking for other vegetarian dinner ideas, why not also try my Vegetarian Eggplant Lasagna and my Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers!

why you’ll love these vegetarian meatballs

  • Packed with Italian flavor! These flavorsome meatballs have sun-dried tomatoes, Italian herbs, basil, and parmesan cheese. Pure deliciousness.
  • Super filling. Made with chickpeas, these meatballs are not only delicious but also super satisfying.
  • Healthier meatballs. These meat-free meatballs are packed with goodness and lower in calories than regular meatballs.
spoon in vegetarian meatballs

ingredients you’ll need

  • Avocado Oil
  • Veggies – Onion, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes.
  • Garlic Cloves
  • Chickpeas
  • Seasoning – Salt, pepper, Italian blend herbs
  • Vegetarian Worcestershire Sauce
  • Panko
  • Eggs
  • Basil
  • Parmesan Cheese (optional)
Ingredients for Vegetarian Meatballs.

how to make these vegetarian meatballs

  • Sauté your aromatics – In a skillet over medium heat, cook your onions and garlic.
  • Make your meatball mixture – In a food processor, add in sautéed mushrooms, seasoning, panko, chickpeas, tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce. Process until the mixture is like ground meat. Then add in whisked eggs.
  • Cook – After resting the mixture in the fridge for 15 mins, scoop out even amounts of meatball mix and add to a skillet, 2-3 mins per side, cooking in batches if needed.
  • Add sauce – once the meatballs are done add in the sauce, stirring occasionally until it bubbles. Simmer for another 8 mins.
  • Garnish serve and enjoy!
Ingredients in a food processor.
Close up of a vegetarian meatball on a spoon.

recipe notes and tips

  • Using a cookie scoop to take spoonfuls of the mixture and add it to the hot pan. This gives you even portions.
  • Use a big skillet, you may have to cook the meatballs in batches.
  • Garnish with fresh, chopped basil.
  • You want to pulse the mix until it comes out like ground beef.
  • You could omit the egg for a vegan option, however the egg acts as a binder so the meatballs will crumble apart more easily (still delicious).
  • Don’t over blend the mixture or it will be too soft to roll.
  • I highly recommend panko breadcrumbs over regular. Panko gives you such a crispy texture.
  • If you want to spice these meatballs up, add a pinch of red chili flakes to the mixtures.
A close up shot of a meatball on a spoon.
Top view of meatballs in skillet.
How To Store These Vegetarian Meatballs

Let the meatballs cool completely, then store them in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a week or the freezer for 2 months.

Are These Kid Friendly?

Absolutely! You can adjust the seasoning if needed. But these are really good for little ones and a fun way for them to get their veggies!

How To Serve These Vegetarian Meatballs

These little balls of yumminess are super versatile! You can go for pasta, rice, quinoa, lentils – they’ll help grab all that sauce too. Or you can opt for roast potatoes for a Spanish tapas vibe.
A great way to serve these up is in a sandwich! So good!
If you’re wanting to keep things light, keep some meatballs out of the sauce and save them for salad toppers.

Overhead shot of vegetarian meatballs  in a skillet.

other delicious vegetarian recipes

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spoon in vegetarian meatballs

Easy Vegetarian Meatballs

Vegetarian Meatballs or so delicious and so easy to make. These yummy balls of goodness are hearty, super satisfying and healthy!
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Refrigerate: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 -6 servings
Calories: 437kcal
Author: Rena

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tbsp avocado oil or any other oil
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2-3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 lb. sliced button or crimini mushrooms
  • 15 oz chickpeas ( drained and rinsed) one can
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon Italian blend herbs
  • 2 Tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/3 cup panko
  • 2 large eggs whisked
  • 14.5 oz marinara sauce one jar
  • Freshly chopped basil to garnish
  • OPTIONAL: Ground parmesan to serve with

Instructions

  • Dice the onion and tomatoes. Mince the garlic and slice the mushrooms. Whisk the eggs and set aside.
  • Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
  • Immediately add in the sliced mushrooms, cook stirring occasionally until slightly golden brown about 5-7 minutes.
  • Once done remove from the heat and let it cool at room temperature.
  • Next, transfer the sautéed mushrooms to a food processor; add chickpeas, tomatoes,
  • salt, pepper, Italian blend herbs, Worcestershire sauce, and panko bread crumbs. Pulse until all the ingredients come together resembling ground meat. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl.
  • Add in the whisked eggs; using your clean hands or a wooden spoon, mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
  • Refrigerate the mixture for at least 15 minutes. Now, heat a large heavy skillet drizzled with a tablespoon of oil.
  • Using a cookie scoop, take spoonfuls of the mixture and add it to the hot pan. Make sure you leave some space in between the meatballs to ensure evenly browning. You should have about 16-18 meatballs, so cook them in 2-3 batches.
  • Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, without moving it at all until nicely golden brown,
  • then set aside to cook the next batch. Once all the meatballs are done, add marinara sauce to the empty pan and cook stirring occasionally until the sauce starts to bubble.
  • Return the meatballs into the hot sauce, and continue to simmer for 8-10 minutes over low heat, until sauce, is thick.
  • Remove from the pan, garnish with freshly chopped basil and ground parmesan.

Notes

  • Using a cookie scoop to take spoonfuls of the mixture and add it to the hot pan. This gives you even portions.
  • Use a big skillet, you may have to cook the meatballs in batches.
  • Garnish with fresh, chopped basil.
  • You want to pulse the mix until it comes out like ground beef.
  • You could omit the egg for a vegan option, however the egg acts as a binder so the meatballs will crumble apart more easily (still delicious).
  • Don’t over blend the mixture or it will be too soft to roll.
  • I highly recommend panko breadcrumbs over regular. Panko gives you such a crispy texture.
  • If you want to spice these meatballs up, add a pinch of red chili flakes to the mixtures.

Nutrition

Calories: 437kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 1433mg | Potassium: 1649mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 755IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 150mg | Iron: 8mg
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