These veggie meatballs are irresistible! Plant-based meatballs should be part of your regular dinner rotation for being so quick, easy, and always delicious.
Prep Time25 minutesmins
Cook Time40 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr5 minutesmins
Course: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4
Calories: 311kcal
Author: Ella Mills
Ingredients
⅛ozdried mushrooms
2tablespoonsolive oilplus a little extra for baking
1small onionpeeled, halved and finely chopped
1smallcarrotpeeled and coarsely grated
2largegarlic clovespeeled and crushed
2tablespoonstomato paste
114-ounce cancannellini beansdrained and rinsed
small handful ofbasil leavescoarsely chopped (plus extra to serve)
1 ½tablespoonsnutritional yeast
¼teaspoondried oregano
2teaspoonstamari
1cupfresh breadcrumbs
Instructions
Put the mushrooms into a cup, cover with boiling water, and set aside to rehydrate.
Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion and carrot and cook over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until softened. Stir the mixture occasionally and add a splash of water if it looks like it might stick on the bottom of the pan.
Once the vegetables are soft, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, then stir in the tomato paste and remove from the heat.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly oil a cookie sheet.
Drain the mushrooms and coarsely chop. Blend in a food processor with the cooked vegetables, the beans, basil, nutritional yeast, oregano, tamari, and breadcrumbs to create a thick paste.
Using wet hands, roll the paste into 16-18 balls, about golf ball size. Transfer to the oiled cookie sheet and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until golden and firm at the edges. Larger balls may need a few extra minutes to bake fully.
Notes
Tip for Toddlers - Tamari is high in salt, so omit it for toddlers.Can't find tamari? Opt for soy sauce or liquid aminos.Fresh breadcrumbs are simply finely crumbled bread. They are light and moist compared to dry breadcrumbs.Serving suggestion - Serve up these veggie meatballs over a big bowl of pasta with tomato sauce or spicy Arrabbiata sauce!