Vegetarian "Meatballs" in Marinana Sauce
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 6-7 servings
 
Ingredients
Meatballs
  • 1 cup dried lentils
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 12 oz. chopped baby Portobello mushrooms
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
  • ½ tsp. salt
Marinara Sauce
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • ½ yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 oz. tomato sauce
  • 15 oz. canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp. dried oregano
  • 2 tsp. dried basil
  • ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp. salt + more to taste
  • ½ tsp. ground dried thyme
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Spaghetti noodles, for serving
Instructions
  1. Bring two cups of water to a boil and add lentils. Reduce heat to low and cook until water is gone and lentils are tender. Cover and turn off heat.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add chopped mushrooms and cook until tender.
  3. Transfer mushrooms and lentils to a food processor and pulse a few times until mixture is the consistency of ground beef. This will only take a few pulses! Don't pulse too much or it will turn into a paste. Transfer to a large bowl.
  4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  5. To the lentils, add egg, breadcrumbs, and salt. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Use your hands to form meatballs and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
  6. For the marinara sauce, heat olive oil in a large pot (you can do this while the meatballs are baking!). Add onions and garlic and cook until tender and fragrant. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, pepper, salt, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Allow to simmer for at least 20 minutes.
  7. Serve the meatballs over spaghetti with marinara sauce and parmesan cheese!
  8. Enjoy!
Recipe by For the Love of Gourmet at https://fortheloveofgourmet.com/vegetarian-meatballs-in-marinana-sauce/