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Easy Vegetarian Meatball Recipe

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  • Author: She Likes Food
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8-12
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

My Vegetarian Meatball recipe is easy to make and packed full of protein. These meatballs have a chickpea and couscous base that gives them great texture and the fresh herbs, parmesan cheese and ketchup add the perfect flavors. This vegetarian meatball recipe comes together in under 30 minutes and can be enjoyed in all the ways you would enjoy traditional meatballs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (15 oz) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1/3 (heaping) cup cooked couscous (the regular kind, not the pearls)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons small diced white onion
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, or a few drops of liquid smoke
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1-2 tablespoons oil, for cooking

Instructions

  1. Add the chickpeas to a large bowl and use a fork, or potato masher, to mash them up.  It’s ok to leave a few whole, but I prefer that most of them are completely mashed.
  2. Next, add in the eggs, couscous, panko, parmesan cheese, onion, ketchup, garlic, parsley and all the spices.  I like to use a fork to start mixing everything up with, and then I use my hands to make sure that the meatball mixture is completely mixed together.
  3. Use your hands to roll mixture into your desired size of meatball and then roll each one in some all purpose flour, just to get a light coating on the outside of the meatball.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cover the bottom with olive oil, about 1-2 tablespoons.  Once oil is hot, carefully place the meatballs in the pan, so that they are in a single layer and not too crowded.  You can cook them in two batches, if needed.
  5. Cook meatballs until browned and crispy on all sides, about 15-20 minutes.  I like to allow each side to brown for a couple of minutes before turning.  Once meatballs are browned on all sides and heated through, you can use them anyway you like.

Notes

This recipe makes about 8 large meatballs, or 12 smaller sized meatballs.

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Category: Dinner, Vegetarian
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://www.shelikesfood.com/vegetarian-meatball-recipe/