Quinoa Meatballs | Vegetarian "Meatball" Recipe (2024)

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Plant-Based

4.56 from 25 votes

by Gale Compton

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Published: March 10, 2019 Last Updated: February 22, 2021

These meatless "meatballs" will amaze you!

Quinoa Meatballs | Vegetarian "Meatball" Recipe (2)

Do you love to cook with quinoa? Maybe you want to learn how to cook it, or a few different ways to enjoy it? If you’re looking for a substitute for meat on a Meatless Monday or as part of your new plant-based meal, quinoa is the way to go. You don’t have to sacrifice your favorite meals to eat a healthier diet! Making these Quinoa Meatballs is the way to go.

Learning to cook with quinoa is simple, and the grain is packed full of plant-based protein (making it a great alternative to meat). These Quinoa Meatballs are just as hearty as a traditional beef meatball, but they’re much lower in saturated fat. Quinoa meatballs are even a great substitute for turkey and chicken meatballs because you’ll consume a serving of whole grains as well asa protein!

Turn This Quinoa Meatball Recipe Into a Vegan Meal

Quinoa Meatballs | Vegetarian "Meatball" Recipe (3)

If you’re following a plant-based diet, you know you can’t have cheese or eggs. We have a quick-and-easy tip for turning these Quinoa Meatballs into an entirely vegan recipe. Instead of using the eggs, mix together 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds with 3 tablespoons of water. Let the mixture sit for a minute before mixing it in with the remaining ingredients.

The purpose of the egg is to bind together the quinoa, lentils, and other ingredients. Flax works perfectly as a binder because it expands into a gel-like substance when combined with water. It’s similar to the way that chia seeds swell, except flax doesn’t have that chewy texture you’ll notice from chia seeds. Plus, there are all kinds of benefits from consuming more flax.

As for the cheese, it’s mostly there as a flavoring ingredient, so feel free to skip it if you’re going dairy-free or vegan. The recipe is delicious as-is, but we always like to help you with easy substitutions to make our recipes fit your diet and wellness plan. Let us know in the comments if you’d had any success with changes and replacements. We always love hearing what you think of our recipes!

Check out our step-by-step video!

4.56 from 25 votes

Quinoa Meatballs | Vegetarian "Meatball" Recipe

Flavorful and nutritious, these vegetarian "meatballs" are sure to be a hit at the dinner table.

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Yield 6 people

Serving Size 2 meatballs

Course Dinner

Author Gale Compton

Quinoa Meatballs | Vegetarian "Meatball" Recipe (4)

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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 1/2 cup quinoa dry, pre-rinsed
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup green lentils cooked, well drained
  • 1/4 cup red bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 cup onion diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 cup gluten free bread crumbs orwhole wheat panko bread crumbs(add additional bread crumbs if the meatballs need to be firmer and aren't holding together well)
  • 1/4 cup parmesan freshly grated
  • 1 tablespoon parsley leaves flat, freshly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon oregano freshly chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • Sea salt to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 egg white (for vegan add 2-3 teaspoons water)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  • Add pre-rinsed quinoa and water to a medium pot, cover, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and continue cooking 15 minutes or until water is completely absorbed. In the meantime, in a large non-stick skillet add 1 tablespoon olive oil, heat to medium-low and sauté diced onions and bell pepper until tender about 4 minutes, add garlic, parsley and oregano and sauté one additional minute.

  • Remove quinoa from heat and allow to rest 10 minutes. Press down on quinoa with a paper towel to remove any remaining water.

  • In a large mixing bowl combine sautéed onion, garlic, parsley and oregano along with remaining ingredients, except oil. Use either a potato masher or fork and mash the ingredients until the lentils are well mashed. Using your hands, shape into 1 ½ “ (meatless) meatballs, place in a large bowl, cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.

  • Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to a large non-stick skillet, heat to medium-low and add quinoa (meatless) meatballs. Brown meatballs, turn over and brown on the other side. Cook until browned and heated through, about 16 minutes. Remove from skillet and drain on a paper towel.

  • If you plan to serve these (meatless) meatballs with marinara, add to the marinara sauce, gently turn to coat. Simmer until hot and serve over pasta.

  • These are a perfect food to eat prior to working out as they provide complex carbohydrates for energy and protein for building muscles. When on hand, I’ll have a few before a workout.

  • TIP: For a vegan version, use vegan egg replacer or 1 tbsp of flax meal mixed with 3 tbsp water rather than the 2-3 teaspoons straight water.

Notes

Here's a tip from Joey, one of our readers:

"Instead of browning the meatballs in a skillet, I brushed them with olive oil and broiled them for about 15 minutes (flip meatballs after 7 minutes). Result is evenly browned meatballs."

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2meatballs | Calories: 291kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 309mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 2g |

SmartPoints (Freestyle): 5

Keywords Diabetic-Friendly, Gluten-Free, Plant-Based, Vegetarian

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Quinoa Meatballs | Vegetarian "Meatball" Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to bake meatballs at 350 or 400? ›

For 1-2 inches of beef, pork, or turkey meatballs without any pre-cooking, use these guidelines for your wall oven:
  • 350°F wall oven:
  • 8–14 minutes for 1-inch meatballs.
  • 14–18 minutes for 2-inch meatballs.
  • 400°F wall oven:
  • 6–10 minutes for 1-inch meatballs.
  • 10–14 minutes for 2-inch meatballs.
  • 425°F wall oven:
Aug 16, 2023

How do you keep vegetable meatballs from falling apart? ›

Roll your meatballs in flour

Roll the finished meatballs in plain flour before frying. This is, hands down, one of the easiest ways I've discovered to prevent meatballs from falling apart when cooking.

How long does it take to cook Beyond Meatballs? ›

Add Beyond Meatballs® to the pan and cook thoroughly, for at least 8-9 minutes, turning balls continuously.

How long does it take for a meatball to cook? ›

Broil the meatballs on a rimmed baking sheet for 20 to 25 minutes, or roast at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes. (Watch closely if making meatballs made with lean meat.) The meatballs are done when cooked through, the outsides are browned, and they register 165°F in the middle on an instant-read thermometer.

How long should you cook meatballs in the oven at 400 degrees? ›

A good rule of thumb is to bake meatballs for 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees fahrenheit. Every oven is different so the cooking time will not be the same for everyone. You will know the meatballs are ready when the internal temperature of the meatballs is 165 degrees.

Do meatballs get more tender the longer they cook? ›

Tenderizing the Meat:

As the collagen in the meat dissolves over time, it transforms into gelatin, which not only adds a silky texture to the sauce but also contributes to the overall richness and depth of flavor. The longer the simmer, the more tender and succulent the meatballs become.

What not to do when making meatballs? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Meatballs
  1. Not seasoning the meat.
  2. Not adding any moisture to the meat.
  3. Over-mixing the meat.
  4. Not shaping the meatballs correctly.
  5. Not forming evenly-sized meatballs.
May 1, 2019

What makes meatballs stick together better? ›

Most meatball recipes call for a bit of starchy filler, such as dry breadcrumbs, oatmeal, or soaked bread, which is meant to keep the meatballs tender, hold everything together, and help add bulk. But as in all areas of cooking, balance here is key. Too little of this binder and your meatballs may turn out dry.

Why do you chill meatballs before cooking? ›

Tip: Whether you're baking, broiling, pan-searing or adding meatballs directly to simmering liquid, always chill meatballs before cooking so that they hold their shape better and don't fall apart. This is especially important when working with pork, turkey and chicken, which are very wet when ground.

How do you tell when meatballs are fully cooked? ›

Place the sheet pan with the meatballs into the 350 degree f oven for 25-30 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Check the meatballs with a meat thermometer to make sure they are 165 degrees in the middle.

How do you cook plant based meatballs? ›

Pre-heat large non-stick skillet over medium-low to medium heat. Add meatballs and cook for 7-8 min, continuously turning. Microwaving, boiling in water, deep frying. Do not consume raw.

How do you know when Beyond Meat is done? ›

Add Beyond Beef to the pan and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute before breaking up in the smaller pieces. Total cook time of about 4-5 minutes depending on the amount of beef and cooking conditions. Always cook to an internal temperature of 165F.

Is it better to bake or pan fry meatballs? ›

Overcrowding can prevent the meat from browning properly, so it's best to work in smaller batches rather than trying to squeeze them all into the pan at one time. Baking will result in meatballs with a crunchy exterior, though the caramelisation achieved from frying will be superior.

Is it better to bake meatballs at 350 or 400 in the oven? ›

In an oven preheated to 350 degrees F, these meatballs should be fully cooked through and evenly browned in about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the middle of the meatball should read at least 165 degrees F.

Why are my meatballs hard after cooking? ›

Don't overmix. When meatballs are tough, it's often because they've been overworked. Start by thoroughly mixing all of the ingredients except for the ground meat. Once you add the meat, you want to work it only just enough so the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Is it better to bake meatballs in the oven or pan? ›

Baking will result in meatballs with a crunchy exterior, though the caramelisation achieved from frying will be superior. Baked meatballs take the least amount of effort, as you'll only need to turn them once or twice throughout the cook and you can make a larger batch at once.

How do you keep meatballs round when baking? ›

The easiest method is to use a small ice cream scoop. Not only does this give you equal portions, but it also gets you most of the way to the round shape you're looking for.

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