Easy Vegan Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

Easy Vegan Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

Flavorful vegan meatballs with spaghetti and tomato marinara with Italian flavors. These are super easy meatless meatballs are are budget-friendly. Gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, keto, paleo, Whole30, vegetarian, vegan.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings servings

Calories 542kcal

Ingredients

Meatless "Meatballs"

30 oz black beans rinsed and drained
1 onion
1 tbsp sunflower seeds
2 small handful fresh basil
1½ Tbsp Worcestershire sauce vegan and gluten-free options exist, can substitute low-sodium soya sauce if needed.
2 Tsp tomato paste
1 tsp mustard
2 tsp oregano
½ tsp fine salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 cup breadcrumbs use gluten-free bread, if needed

Tomato Marinara Sauce

2 Tbsp olive oil or extra virgin olive oil plus extra for drizzling
2-4 garlic cloves chopped or finely sliced
30 oz tomato sauce
2 Tsp oregano
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Meatless "Meatballs"

Place black beans in food processor with onion, seeds, basil, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, mustard, oregano, salt and pepper. Pulse to combine until a textured dough forms (don't overmix, you don't want a puree).
Transfer mix to a bowl, add breadcrumbs and mix all the ingredients with your hands.
Form small meatballs, about 18-20 pieces, and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake them for 20 minutes at 360F.

Tomato Marinara Sauce

Simultaneously in a medium skillet/pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic cloves for 3 minutes, then stir in the tomato sauce and cook for 5 minutes. Season with oregano, salt, and pepper according to your taste.
Reduce the heat and cook the sauce for a further 10 minutes.
When the meatballs are baked and crispy, add them to the tomato sauce and stir gently to coat.

Pasta

Simultaneously, cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling water. Salt water, if you prefer.
Drain spaghetti and stir in the skillet along with tomato sauce, vegan meatballs and shredded basil leaves.
Place pasta, sauce, with meatballs on plate. Top with lightly drizzling of extra virgin olive oil and some fresh basil.

Notes

For Low Histamine Meal Plan, modify: Remove tomato paste. Don't use marinara. Use the recipe still, but remove tomato sauce and use 4-6 tbsp (instead of 2) of olive oil for the sauce or use nomato sauce.

Nutrition