Hearty, Flavorful, and Perfect for Weeknight Dinners
These easy vegetarian lentil meatballs offer everything you love about classic comfort food — tender bites, rich tomato sauce, and a cozy aroma — all made with simple plant-based ingredients. They bring together cooked lentils, breadcrumbs, herbs, and vegetables for a meatball that feels hearty yet wholesome. Whether you serve them over warm spaghetti, in a bowl with veggies, or tucked into a sandwich, they turn any meal into a nourishing and satisfying dish. This recipe is perfect for busy evenings, meal prep, or a comforting family dinner that fills the kitchen with savory Italian-inspired fragrance.
PrintEasy Vegetarian Lentil Meatballs
Easy vegetarian lentil meatballs baked until golden and finished in marinara sauce.
Ingredients
1 cup cooked lentils
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan or nutritional yeast
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, grated
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper
Marinara sauce
Cooked spaghetti
Basil
Instructions
1. Mash lentils slightly.
2. Mix with breadcrumbs, cheese, onion, garlic, carrot, tomato paste, oil, and spices.
3. Shape into balls.
4. Bake 20 minutes at 400°F.
5. Warm marinara in pan.
6. Add meatballs and simmer 5 minutes.
7. Serve over spaghetti with basil.
Notes
Store 4 days or freeze 2 months.
Add spinach for extra veggies.
Serve in subs or over pasta.
Preparation Time
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
Lentil Meatballs
1 cup cooked green or brown lentils
½ cup breadcrumbs
¼ cup grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast
1 small onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 small carrot, grated
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
½ tsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
To Serve
Cooked spaghetti
2 cups marinara sauce
Fresh basil
Extra grated cheese (optional)
Required Utensils
This recipe doesn’t require any fancy equipment — just a few basic utensils for easy, stress-free cooking.
Large mixing bowl
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Measuring cups and spoons
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Skillet or saucepan
Preparation Steps (Beginner-Friendly)
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the cooked lentils to a bowl and mash them lightly for 1–2 minutes until partly broken down.
- Stir in the breadcrumbs, Parmesan or nutritional yeast, onion, garlic, grated carrot, tomato paste, olive oil, oregano, basil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. The mixture should look moist and shapeable.
- Roll the mixture into small balls, about 1½ inches each. Place them evenly on the baking sheet. 😊
- Bake for 20 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden and firm.
- Warm the marinara sauce in a skillet for 2–3 minutes until hot and smooth.
- Add the baked lentil meatballs to the sauce and simmer gently for 5 minutes to absorb flavor. ✨
- Serve over spaghetti, garnish with basil, and enjoy warm.
Chef’s Tips
Store cooked meatballs for 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Use cooked quinoa instead of breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.
Add chopped spinach to the mixture for extra veggies.
Serve in subs with melted cheese for a cozy breakfast-for-dinner option.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1
Calories: 310 kcal
Protein: 14 g
Carbs: 39 g
Fat: 10 g
Fiber: 7 g
Sugar: 6 g