Go Back
+ servings
meatless meatballs
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Meatless Meatballs in Rich Tomato Sauce

Tender and full of flavor, each serving of meatless meatballs contains 15 grams of fiber.
Course: Dinner
Keyword: meatballs, vegetarian meat, vegetarian meatballs
Servings: 2
Calories: 425kcal
Author: Megan Rossi

Ingredients

Meatballs:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 eggplant (14 oz), diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced
  • 3 sundried tomatoes, preserved in oil
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 2 tablespoons flaxseeds
  • Scant 1/2 cup fresh basil

Extras:

  • Fresh spinach
  • Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375º. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • To make the meatballs, warm a large frying pan over medium heat, add oil, then the eggplant, onion, garlic powder, olives, sundried tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning and salt, and sauté 5 to 10 minutes, until starting to color.
  • Place oats and flaxseeds in a food processor and blend to form coarse crumbs. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. Place the sautéed mix, along with the basil, in the food processor. Combine roughly.
  • Transfer to the bowl with the crumb mixture, stir to combine, and leave in the fridge to thicken for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from the fridge and roll into golf ball-sized "meatballs" (makes around 12) and place on the prepared baking sheet; then bake in the oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the tomato sauce. Warm a saucepan over medium heat and add oil, garlic and sundried tomatoes. Sauté for a few minutes; then add diced tomatoes, basil and salt. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook about 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes.
  • Serve the meatballs on a bed of spinach, if desired, and top with the tomato sauce and grated Parmesan, if you like.

Variations:

  • Spice things up by adding half a chile to the sauce.
  • For vegans: Use vegan Worcestershire sauce, or replace with barbecue sauce, and use vegan yogurt and cheese (or omit them) for serving.

Notes

love your gutExcerpted from Love your gut © 2021 by Megan Rossi. Published by the Experiment, an imprint of Workman Publishing. Reprinted by permission.

Nutrition

Calories: 425kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 12g | Sodium: 403mg | Fiber: 19g | Sugar: 14g