Servings: 5
Prep time: 20 min Cooking time: 25 min
Ingredients
Lentil Meatballs
3 Tbsp + 1 tsp olive oil, divided
1 shallot, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 chia egg: whisk 1 Tbsp chia seeds with 3 Tbsp water. Let sit for 5 mins.
1 1/2 cups cooked lentils, cooled
1 1/2 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1/4 cup Italian parsley, chopped
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1/4 cup nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp breadcrumbs
Pasta
9 oz whole grain pasta (zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash will also work)
1 jar pasta sauce
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375°, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Prepare chia egg following the instructions above.
2. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil, shallot, and garlic to pan. Sauté until slightly golden brown, then remove from heat.
3. To a food processor add 1 tsp olive oil, sautéed garlic and shallot, and remaining meatball ingredients. Pulse until combined, but not puréed. The texture should be dough-like. If the mixture is still too wet, add another 1 Tbsp breadcrumbs.
4. Measure lentil meatballs into 1 Tbsp-sized balls. If your meatballs crack when shaping, try moistening your hands with water. Repeat until all your meatballs are shaped (about 12 total).
5. Heat a large skillet to medium and add 1 Tbsp olive oil. When hot, add half of the meatballs and brown 4-5 minutes, until golden brown. Place cooked meatballs aside and repeat the step above with remaining meatballs. Transfer all browned meatballs to oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, while you prepare your pasta and heat your sauce.
6. Boil water for pasta and cook according to package directions. Meanwhile, heat pasta sauce in the same pan you used to brown your meatballs. When the meatballs are done, combine them with the pasta and sauce. Enjoy.
Notes:
Inspired by: Minimalist Baker
Freeze leftover meatballs for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven or air fryer until warmed.
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