Hearty Vegetarian Meatballs

Elevate your plant-based dining experience with these flavorful Hearty Vegetarian Meatballs. Crafted from a wholesome blend of chickpeas, earthy mushrooms, and aromatic spices like garlic and Italian seasoning, these meatballs offer a burst of savory goodness in every bite. A unique twist comes from the use of ground flaxseed, which forms a velvety, binding flax egg, ensuring the perfect texture without any animal products. Baked to golden perfection, these versatile meatballs are perfect for pairing with marinara sauce and pasta, tucking into a sub sandwich, or serving as a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is ideal for those seeking a healthy, satisfying, and protein-packed vegetarian meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 15 oz can Chickpeas
• 8 oz Mushrooms
• 1 medium Onion
• 3 Garlic cloves
• 1 cup Rolled oats
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons Ground flaxseed
• 5 tablespoons Water
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (vegetarian)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 0.25 cup Parsley
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then pat them dry with a paper towel.

Step 3

Place them in a large mixing bowl and mash with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth with a few chunks remaining for texture.

Step 4

In a food processor, add the mushrooms, onion, and garlic cloves. Pulse until finely chopped, then transfer to the bowl with the mashed chickpeas.

Step 5

Add rolled oats, breadcrumbs, and ground flaxseed to the bowl.

Step 6

In a small bowl, combine the water and ground flaxseed, letting it sit for a few minutes until it forms a gel-like consistency.

Step 7

Add the flaxseed mixture, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the mixture.

Step 8

Stir everything together until well combined. The mixture should be moist but firm enough to hold together. If it’s too wet, add more breadcrumbs; if too dry, a splash of water.

Step 9

Using your hands, form the mixture into 1.5-inch balls and place them onto the prepared baking sheet.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, turning them halfway through until they are golden brown and firm.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving.

Step 12

Serve with your favorite marinara sauce and pasta, or enjoy as a standalone dish or appetizer.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1180.3 grams (1180.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2032

Total Fat 65.90g	84%
Saturated Fat 9.50g	48%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.50g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4561mg	198%
Total Carbohydrate 293.60g	107%
Dietary Fiber 55.00g	196%
Total Sugars 41.80g
Protein 83.10g	166%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 458mg	35%
Iron 26mg	142%
Potassium 3230mg	69%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 28.2%

Protein: 15.8%

Carbs: 55.9%