This is a variation of our vegetarian meatball base recipe. These lentil meatballs are hearty, flavorful, and versatile—perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep. They’re packed with plant-based protein and come together easily with pantry staples. Pair them with your favorite sauces and sides for a delicious, satisfying meal.
Must-Know Cooking Skills to Level Up your Kitchen Game
To make this recipe even faster, check out these how to videos to master the basics:
Plus, we’ve got an awesome Knife Skills 101 course to help you slice and dice like a pro!
Culinary Tips for the Best Lentil Meatballs
Choose the right lentils. Green or brown lentils work best for this recipe. Their hearty texture and mild flavor are ideal for forming meatballs. Avoid red lentils, as they’re too soft and won’t hold their shape well.
Mash consistently. When mashing the lentils, aim for a texture that’s mostly smooth with a few small chunks. This creates a great consistency for shaping meatballs.
If you have picky eaters, dice the onion or shallot finely so they don’t notice them.
Use a portion scoop to form the meatballs. It’s a game changer for time savings and perfect portioning.
Do not overcook the meatballs, or they will dry out! Once the edges are brown, remove them from the oven.
This recipe easily scales up. Simply double or triple the ingredient quantities. You may have to use two baking sheets to cook these vegetarian lentil meatballs; overcrowding the pan will prevent browning. Browning or caramelization adds delicious flavor!
Don’t skip the oil! Brushing the baking sheet with olive oil keeps the meatballs from sticking to the pan once done. You can also use cooking spray if that sounds easier!
Ingredient Swaps & Substitutions
- Lentils: Green or brown lentils work best for this recipe. The color is perfect!
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Swap for regular breadcrumbs, gluten-free breadcrumbs, or crushed crackers if needed.
- Parmesan Cheese: Use nutritional yeast for a vegan option or omit altogether for a dairy-free version.
- Egg: Substitute with a flax egg (1 Tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 Tablespoons water) if you want vegan lentil meatballs.
- Shallot: Replace with diced yellow onion or green onion for a similar flavor.
- Tomato Paste: Sub some diced sun-dried tomatoes for a similar complexity.
- Herbs: Experiment with other herbs like rosemary or parsley for a different flavor profile.
- Granulated garlic: Add a freshly minced garlic clove instead!
We like to buy our herbs and spices from the Spice House. They have great quality, variety, and flavor!
Lentil Meatball Recipe Variations: Make it YOUR Own!
Add more spices or take away, and make this recipe to YOUR taste!
Want some vegetarian meatball flavor inspiration?
Use our vegetarian meatball base recipe as a guide, check out our variations, and then have fun exploring different flavors, ingredients, and textures to YOUR taste!
Equipment Recommendations: The Essentials
You just need a few basic tools for this recipe. Here’s your shopping list:
- Colander – drain and rinse your beans and more.
- Nested mixing bowls – great for mixing, great for storing!
- Masher – so much easier and better than a fork.
- Measuring Spoons & Cups – precision makes a difference.
- Cutting board & Chef’s knife – to cook like a chef, of course!
- Portion scoop – for game changing portioning.
- 13 x 18 Baking Sheet – no overcrowding, please!
Want to level up your kitchen game? Check out our Essential Equipment Guide for all the must-have tools!
Are Lentil Meatballs Healthy?
Absolutely! These meatballs are a nutritious plant-based option that’s lower in saturated fat compared to traditional meatballs. Plus, they’re baked, not fried, which keeps the recipe light and wholesome. Check out the health benefits of some of the star ingredients below!
Lentils
Lentils are rich in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients like folate, iron, and magnesium. They play a significant role in longevity diets around the world.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is a key component of the Mediterranean Diet. It contains high amounts of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols, which may reduce inflammation. This recipe replaces the saturated fat typically found in 100% beef meatballs.
Fresh Herbs
Cilantro isn’t just a garnish—it’s packed with vitamins A, C, and K, along with powerful antioxidants that support immunity and decrease inflammation.
Dive into our ingredient guide to discover the freshest, tastiest picks for all your recipes—because great ingredients make all the difference! 🌟🍎
Lentil Meatball Serving Suggestions
These lentil meatballs are as versatile as they are tasty! Serve them:
- Over spaghetti with marinara sauce for a classic comfort meal.
- In a warm pita or wrap with tzatziki and fresh veggies for a Mediterranean-inspired dish.
- On a bed of leafy greens with your favorite vinaigrette for a hearty salad.
- As an appetizer with toothpicks and a side of dipping sauce, like hummus or homemade marinara.
Learn how to build a healthy balanced meal with our Whole Life Plate, meal plan, and book!
Storage & Reheat Tips for Lentil Meatballs
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, bake in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes or microwave until warm. You can also freeze the meatballs for up to 3 months. To reheat from frozen, bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes or until heated through.
Want more bean-based dinner recipes? We have got plenty!
We are sort of bean obsessed here at To Taste, so we have no shortage of bean recipes to try!
Healthy Burrito Bowl Base Recipe
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Unlike many other recipe blogs, we actually encourage you to tweak our recipes. Not because they’re in need of change, haha, but because we believe one of the secrets to success in the kitchen is cooking to YOUR taste. Make the recipe, leave us a review, and tell us if you made any changes! We love hearing how you’ve made it your own.
Lentil Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups green lentils, drained and rinsed*
- ¼ cup Panko
- 2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon diced shallot
- ½ Tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425ºF. Brush a baking sheet with the oil.
- Place lentils in a large mixing bowl and mash until almost smooth or leave slightly chunky.
- Add bread crumbs, cheese, herbs, egg, oil, shallot, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and garlic. Mix until combined.
- Use a portion scoop or spoons to create meatballs and place on the pan, spaced ~1” apart.
- Cook 8-10 minutes or until cooked through and slightly brown on the edges. Serve with desired sides and toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
- Rinse 3/4 cup lentils under running water. Add to a small saucepan with 2 1/4 cups of water.
- Bring water to a boil, cover, and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for ~15-20 minutes or until soft.
- Drain, measure, and use in this recipe!
Nutrition
FAQ Questions:
Can I make lentil meatballs vegan?
Why are my lentil meatballs falling apart?
Can I freeze lentil meatballs?
Absolutely. Let the meatballs cool completely, then freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for the best texture.
How do I store leftover lentil meatballs?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They reheat well in the microwave, oven, or skillet.
