Recipe: Vegetarian “Meatballs”
Description:
These vegetarian “meatballs” are a delightful surprise for any potluck dinner or pasta night. Made with a combination of eggs, cheddar cheese, and walnuts, they offer a “meaty” texture and flavor without any actual meat. Whether served with spaghetti sauce, in meatball stroganoff, or on their own, these savory balls are sure to please vegetarians and meat-lovers alike.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 575.3
- Fat: 39.2g
- Saturated Fat: 15.2g
- Cholesterol: 245.3mg
- Sodium: 1331.4mg
- Carbohydrates: 29.3g
- Fiber: 3.3g
- Sugar: 3.1g
- Protein: 28g
Ingredients:
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 cups walnuts, finely chopped
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions:
| Step | Description | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mix eggs, cheddar cheese, walnuts, breadcrumbs, onion, and garlic together in a large bowl. | 10 minutes |
| 2 | Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes to firm up. | 30 minutes |
| 3 | Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). | 0 minutes |
| 4 | Form the mixture into 1-1/4 inch balls and place them on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. | 10 minutes |
| 5 | Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. | 20 minutes |
| 6 | (Optional) If freezing, allow the meatballs to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. | 0 minutes |
| 7 | To cook from frozen, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). | 0 minutes |
| 8 | Place the frozen meatballs in a casserole dish and cover with 2-3 cups of boiling water and 2-3 cubes or envelopes of vegetarian brown broth. | 5 minutes |
| 9 | Ensure the meatballs are almost covered with liquid. | 1 minute |
| 10 | Bake, covered, at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour (1-1/2 hours if meatballs are frozen). | 60-90 minutes |
| 11 | Alternatively, meatballs may be prepared in a crockpot on high setting for 1 hour (or 1-1/2 if frozen). | 60-90 minutes |
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve hot with your favorite spaghetti sauce, or use them in meatball stroganoff for a comforting meal.
- These meatballs can also be enjoyed on their own as appetizers or added to sandwiches for a flavorful twist.
Tips:
- For a vegan version, you can replace the eggs with flax or chia eggs, and use vegan cheese.
- Make a large batch and freeze the extras for quick meals later.
- Experiment with different cheeses and nuts for varied flavors and textures.
- Serve over cooked spaghetti or alongside mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
Enjoy your delicious vegetarian “meatballs”! 🍝🌱
