Chickpea Meatballs
These plant-based meatballs are great for a classic Italian family-style dinner or for meal prepping your lunches this week. You can pair them with tomato sauce, pasta, and steamed broccoli. If you are taking the Italian route pair this with my creamy red pepper sauce recipe to pour over the balls while they bake! If you’re taking a different style try breaking up the balls to top off your salad bowl. Share your creations with me on Instagram @lizzie_shutt :) I hope you enjoy!
Ingredients:
2 cups of cooked grain (brown rice or quinoa)
1 cup pecans (can sub cashews)
4 cloves garlic, peeled
3 cups chickpeas (about 2 cans)
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
freshly ground black pepper
If needed 1/4 cup bread crumbs/oat flour
Optional: add in pesto for more herb flavor!!
Optional: Creamy Red Pepper Sauce recipe
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Get all the ingredients together for the chickpea meatballs and feel free to adapt the recipe with what is available in your pantry! You will need a food processor or high speed blender.
First, place the pecans in the food processor and pulse a few times.
Next, add in half the chickpeas and garlic cloves pulse again. Add the grains, tomato paste, and oil. Pulse until it’s an even consistency then add in the rest of the chickpeas, nutritional yeast, Italian spices, salt, pepper. Blend until it forms a meatball consistency, you should be able to form it into balls. If it’s too wet you can add more chickpeas or oats.
Form balls with your hands and place them into the baking dish. Depending on your pan you may want to put a little oil at the bottom. If you are adding the red pepper sauce then no need to worry about oiling (could also use a jar of marinara sauce)
Cook the meatballs for 25-30 minutes. If you are using sauce pour that on and cook for another 5-10 mins.
My favorite sides to serve these with: spaghetti squash, garlic bread, salad, roasted veggies (brussel sprouts, broccoli, beets, carrots), and whole wheat or lentil spaghetti.
Enjoy your meal - thank yourself for taking the time to prioritize your health. Homecooking is a great way to reconnect with yourself after a long day and nourish your body!
With Love,
Lizzie