Vegetarian Meatballs are a delicious and hearty alternative to traditional meatballs, perfect for those who follow a vegetarian diet or simply want to try a plant-based version of this classic dish. Made with ingredients like lentils, beans, quinoa, or vegetables, these meatballs are packed with flavor and provide a satisfying texture. Whether served with pasta, in a sub sandwich, or as a tasty appetizer, vegetarian meatballs are versatile and can easily be adapted to suit your taste preferences.
The base for vegetarian meatballs often includes lentils or chickpeas, which are cooked and mashed to create a firm yet tender texture. Adding breadcrumbs or oats helps bind the mixture together, while grated vegetables such as carrots, zucchini, or onions provide additional flavor and moisture. For seasoning, a combination of garlic, herbs like basil and oregano, and spices like cumin or smoked paprika can be used to mimic the savory flavor of traditional meatballs. A bit of parmesan or nutritional yeast can also be added for a cheesy, umami taste.
Once the meatball mixture is ready, shape it into small balls and bake or pan-fry them until golden and crispy on the outside, while remaining soft and tender on the inside. You can also simmer the vegetarian meatballs in a flavorful tomato sauce to infuse them with extra taste, making them perfect to serve over pasta or in a sub roll with marinara and melted cheese for a veggie-friendly meatball sub.
For a gluten-free option, you can use gluten-free breadcrumbs or oat flour in place of regular breadcrumbs. To make them vegan, simply substitute the egg with a flaxseed egg or a non-dairy binding ingredient like mashed potatoes or chickpea flour.
Vegetarian meatballs are not only healthier but also offer a great way to sneak in some extra vegetables and protein into your diet. They can be made in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer, making them a convenient and satisfying meal for busy weeknights. Whether you’re serving them with spaghetti or enjoying them on their own with a dipping sauce, vegetarian meatballs are sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup lentils green or brown lentils work best, cooked
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs panko or whole wheat
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese or a vegan alternative, grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 onion small, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 1 egg large egg, or a flax egg for a vegan option
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked lentils, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and onion.
- Add the olive oil, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Add the egg and mix until well combined.
- Form the mixture into small balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden brown and firm.
- Serve with your favorite pasta sauce or as an appetizer with dipping sauce.
Nutrition
So easy to make! My kids helped roll the balls, and they devoured them! Will make again for sure.
That’s awesome! Involving kids in cooking is such a great idea. I’m glad they enjoyed it!
Are you sure kids actually like lentils? Mine wouldn’t touch them with a 10-foot pole! 🤷♂️
Make sure to use good quality lentils! Mine were kinda bland.
These veggie meatballs were a hit at my family dinner! So tasty and healthy. Will definitely make again.
I don’t get it. Veggie meatballs? Just eat the meat, its way better. Why fake it?
So glad to hear that! We loved them too. Have you tried adding any other veggies?
Made these last night, they were okay. A bit mushy, I think I overmixed? Not the best but I’ll try again.
Mushy? Really? I’ve made these like 3 times and they always turn out great. Maybe try not mixing so hard?
Don’t worry! It happens to the best of us. Just keep the mixing to a minimum next time. They’re really delicious when done right!
These meatballs are amazing! I used vegan cheese and they turned out perfect. My whole family loved them!
My first try at making meat substitutes! Was super easy and I felt so proud. Thanks for the recipe!
The baking time threw me off. 25 minutes wasn’t enough for my oven—had to bake like 10 more. Still yummy, but watch them.
These look amazing! Going to try them this weekend. 😋
I dunno, lentils in meatballs? Sounds weird. Bet it won’t taste like real meat. 🤔
Yum! I’m excited for you to try them! 😍 Let us know how they turn out!
Meh. Tasteless balls of somethin’. Gonna stick with the real deal next time.
Meh.
Meh? I’m into it. Lentils + parm sounds way better than I expected. Next time I’ll add some smoked paprika though.
Fair. I think the spices are solid, but mine came out a little dry—probably needed less time or a touch more oil.
Very easy! My kids helped me and they were a hit at dinner. 😊👍
NOM! I added some hot sauce and wow, best thing ever. The kids gobbled them up! 😋
Yum! These are better than I expected. I added some chili flakes for extra kick. Delicious!
Better than expected? Hmm, not sure what you expected but lentils don’t exactly scream meatballs to me. :/
Glad you liked it! Chili flakes are a great idea for some extra heat. I’ll have to try that next time.
These lentil meatballs are amazing! So easy to make and taste delicious. Will definitely make again!
I haven’t tried these, but they sound good! Can I use black beans instead of lentils?
These sound gross! Lentils as meatballs? No way, I’ll stick to real meat.
Honestly the idea is great, but 25 minutes wasn’t enough for my oven—mine were pale and soft in the middle. I ended up baking 10 more minutes.
I added some chili flakes for a kick, and I’m glad I did! Spicy and tasty!
Not sure if it was me or the recipe, but mine turned out really mushy. Followed the directions exactly.
I’m not sure about this recipe. Lentils as meatballs? Seems weird. But I’ll give it a try just to see.
I didn’t think they would taste like meat but they do! Just need some hot sauce, lol.
Can you even call them meatballs? No meat! It ain’t right. But I guess they are ok for vegetarians.
Made these tonight and they actually held together really well. I used brown lentils and whole wheat breadcrumbs—perfectly savory. The garlic + oregano combo is legit.
Love hearing that! Brown lentils + whole wheat crumbs sounds like a great swap for extra savory flavor. The garlic/oregano really does carry the whole thing.
I followed the recipe but they fell apart. Maybe the egg wasn’t enough? Idk.
I followed it pretty closely, but mine were a little dry. Next time I’ll add a splash of sauce or maybe more olive oil. Flavor is definitely there though.
Glad the flavor came through! Dry lentil balls usually need a bit more moisture—either an extra drizzle of olive oil or a spoon of sauce mixed in can help a lot. Also did you cook the lentils fully? Undercooked ones can turn dry.
So easy to make! My kids loved them. Will definitely make again!
Glad to hear your kids loved them! They really are super easy to make!
I didn’t have lentils, so I used chickpeas instead. They turned out great but a bit different texture!
So expensive to make for a little bit of food! I don’t get it.
I dunno, the texture was kinda off. I think they needed more spices or something.
I totally agree! A little more seasoning could really elevate the dish. Maybe some chili flakes too!
Pretty basic. I expected more flavor. Could use a kick.
375°F for 25 mins?? Sounds too easy. I baked mine and they were golden but inside felt soft—maybe I should’ve cooked them longer or pressed the mixture tighter.
Meatballs? More like beanballs! 😂
Only 25 min? Mine took about 40! I guess it depends on your oven. But they tasted good.
These were surprisingly good! I made them for my vegetarian friend and they loved it. Definitely will make again.
That’s awesome! I love vegetarian dishes that surprise you. I’ve got to try making these for my family!
I’m not sure about these. Lentils? In meatballs? Seems odd. Not convinced, but glad they worked for you!
Just okay. The flavor was kinda bland. Maybe needs more spices or something 🙁
Can I use black beans instead of lentils? I got a ton of beans but no lentils.
Black beans might work but they could change the flavor a little. Lentils have a different texture, you know?
What a great alternative to meat! I added some extra spices and wow!
I don’t know…they turned out kinda mushy for me. Maybe I didn’t cook the lentils enough? Not sure I’d make again.
These meatballs are amazing! I can’t believe they’re vegetarian!
I think the measurements are off. 1/2 cup breadcrumbs seems too low for binding, mine kept falling apart. Maybe I needed an extra egg.
Perfect for my vegan friends! I used the flax egg and they loved it!
I don’t think lentils can really replace meat. Sounds like a lot of work for something bland.
That’s awesome! I love that they enjoyed it. Definitely trying the flax egg too!
I was really skeptical about lentil meatballs but wow, these turned out great! A bit too salty for my taste though. Next time I’ll cut back on the salt.
These meatballs are DELICIOUS! They hold together so well and have great flavor. I will definitely make these again!
Pretty good! I swapped the egg for chia seeds and they held up just fine. Nice and easy recipe!
Lentils instead of beef? Not a chance! Just doesn’t sound right to me.
I get where you’re coming from, but lentils are super healthy! Give it a try, you might be surprised!
No way! Meatballs gotta have meat! Lentils? Nah, sounds weird to me.
These meatballs are fantastic! I was skeptical at first, but they were so flavorful!
I used a flax egg and vegan Parmesan, and they were shockingly good. Not exactly the same as real meatballs, but definitely a win for plant-based dinners.
I tried using flax egg once and it was kinda mushy… I guess your vegan Parmesan saved it? Still gonna try but I’ll probably bake longer than 25 mins.
Love this! Flax egg is such a smart swap, and vegan parm really helps get that savory vibe. Definitely making these for dinner this week.
I tried these and they fell apart when cooking. Not sure what went wrong…
These turned out surprisingly “meaty” for being vegetarian. I followed the recipe pretty closely and they held together well. The parmesan + lentils combo is the move.
I was skeptical at first, but wow! They actually taste pretty great!
I tried it but they turned out mushy, any suggestions on how to prevent that next time? Maybe less olive oil?
Mushy? That’s weird! I’ve made them before and they’ve always turned out firm. Maybe cook the lentils less next time?
I think less olive oil might help, but also try adding more breadcrumbs to absorb moisture. Good luck next time!
These meatballs are amazing! I made them with marinara and everyone loved it! Will definitely be making again.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about lentils as meatballs, but the flavor is actually great. Next time I’ll sauté the onion/garlic first for extra depth.
I dunno, they taste a bit off to me. Maybe too much garlic?
1 cup lentils is like… how much cooked? I used canned lentils and I think it threw off the texture. They fell apart a bit, but flavor was still decent with pasta sauce.
Tired of veggie recipes that don’t even taste like food. These were bland!!
Followed the recipe pretty closely, but mine came out a little dry. I think my lentils were overcooked and I might’ve added too much breadcrumb. Still okay with sauce though.
Ahh that sounds frustrating! I’ve had the same thing happen when the lentils get too soft—extra moisture goes away so the mixture turns kind of dry. Next time try undercooking the lentils a bit or adding a splash of sauce/plant milk to the mix before baking.
Not a fan. They turned out mushy and didn’t hold together well. 😕
Sorry to hear that! Did you let them cool a bit before serving? They can be a bit delicate! 🤔
Mushy meatballs? That sounds weird! I’ve made them and they held up great. Maybe try less liquid next time?
Used flax egg for vegan option, turned out great! Thanks for sharing!
The instructions are clear but why oven? Can’t we fry them?
Mine were kinda bland. I think my garlic was weak? Also I didn’t measure the salt “to taste” the same way twice, so that’s on me. Still, not bad.
Hmm bland can happen with lentil balls—did you try a little more salt/pepper and letting the mix sit 5–10 min before baking? Garlic “weak” is real too; fresh minced usually hits harder than pre-minced.
These turned out way better than I expected—crispy on the edges and actually held together. I used a flax egg and they were still great. Will make again!
Easy to make and delicious! My kids loved them, and that’s a win in my book!
Parmesan in veg meatballs? Really? Ugh, not for me. Can’t believe people eat this stuff!
Can you make these without cheese? I’m lactose intolerant and really want to try this recipe!
Quick and tasty! I made it with some marinara sauce and my kids devoured them! 👌
Why would anyone eat lentils when you can just have real meat? Not my thing.
They stuck to my parchment a little even though I lined it. I think my balls were too big. Flavor was okay, but texture wasn’t perfect.
Ugh, that parchment stick happens sometimes. I wonder if the lentils were still a bit wet or if the balls were larger than the “small balls” the recipe implies—bigger ones can stay softer and grab the paper. I’ve found a light oil spray on the parchment helps a lot.
They just tasted like lentils to me. I think I overcooked them maybe.
I used a flax egg and added a splash more olive oil since the mix seemed dry. They were good, but I think I baked them like 5 minutes too long—still edible though!
I don’t think 5 minutes too long is a small thing. Lentil stuff dries out fast—maybe your oven runs hot? Also flax egg can change texture. Still, good save on the olive oil.
Glad they came out “still edible” 😄 And yeah, 5 minutes can totally make lentil balls go from tender to a bit too firm. Next time I’d start checking around 20 minutes!
Ehh, didn’t really like them. The texture was weird, too mushy and didn’t resemble meat at all. Can’t recommend this.
Yummy but why call them meatballs? There’s no meat!
Butttt they ain’t meat! Just call ’em lentil balls or somethin’ else. 🤔
They’re called meatballs because the texture is similar! Plus, they taste great with sauce.
Absolutely terrible! My kids wouldn’t eat them. I guess this is just another not-so-great veggie thing..
Nah, this sounds delish! My kids ate them up when I made them. Gotta give it another shot with different flavors!
I’m sorry to hear that! Kids can be so picky. Maybe try adding more spices or serve them with a sauce they love?
I used quinoa instead of lentils and they turned out great. Who needs meat?
These taste kinda bland without more seasoning. Like yeah it says salt to taste but I had to crank up pepper and add chili flakes. Otherwise the flavor is too “plain lentils.”
These are very savory. I think they taste better than meatballs made of meat. Healthy too!
Super easy to make! My kids loved them! I’ll have to hide my leftovers lol.
These meatballs are a game changer! So delicious and easy to make.
I’m not usually a “meatball” person, but these were tasty. Next time I’ll add a tiny bit of grated carrot for sweetness and maybe a splash of soy sauce for depth.
I made these and honestly… they taste like lentils with cheese. I wanted something more like actual meatballs. Will not repeat (unless I change half the recipe).
That makes sense—you’re basically eating lentil patties held together with cheese/breadcrumbs. If you want more “meatball” vibes, you might try adding mushrooms (or even a little TVP) and more browning time.
Not gonna lie, 1 cup cooked lentils + breadcrumbs sounds… weird. But it tastes hearty. My family didn’t even realize they were vegetarian, so score!