15 Mouthwatering Meatless Meatball Recipes

Meatballs mean comfort food from spaghetti to sub sandwiches. A good meatball can add protein and bulk to an otherwise light-hearted dish.

The great thing is that meatballs can be effortlessly made meatless, meaning that no one has to miss out on the flavor, texture, and tradition of this classic fare. 

We also highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App  — with over 20,000 delicious recipes, it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help you get healthy! 

1. Raw Breaded Eggplant Meatballs With Marinara Sauce

Source: Raw Breaded Eggplant Meatballs With Marinara Sauce

If you’re trying to eat more raw foods, but you still need your pasta fix, then this recipe for Raw Breaded Eggplant Meatballs With Marinara Sauce by Lena Ropp is a must-try. Eggplants are blended with fresh basil and other ingredients, then coated in crunchy almond “breading”. Finally, the eggplants are dehydrated until they reach a meaty texture. These raw eggplant meatballs pair perfectly with the accompanying marinara sauce when served on a bed of zucchini noodles.

2. Braised Soy Meatballs

Source: Braised Soy Meatballs

These vegan Braised Soy Meatballs by Lenia & Dimitra will win you over! The sauce in which they are dipped is top-notch and takes them to a whole other level!

3. Blueberry-Balsamic Meatball Sauce with Rosemary

Source: Blueberry-Balsamic Meatball Sauce with Rosemary

This Blueberry-Balsamic Meatball Sauce with Rosemary by Kathy Hester is a gourmet version of a comfort food classic. This savory sauce has sweet flavors of blueberries and raspberries that are balanced out with rosemary and tangy balsamic. The sauce is then served over baked vegan meatballs.

4. Meatballs & Marinara

Source: Meatballs & Marinara

Meatballs and marinara are timeless and traditional classics that everyone loves. You won’t miss the beef once you sink your teeth into Jillian Glenn’s Meatballs & Marinara. Your family will be amazed at this plant-based dish. If you’re a spaghetti and meatballs lover, serve these over a bed of cooked spaghetti or spaghetti squash.

5. Lentil Quinoa Hemp Seed Meatballs

Source: Lentil Quinoa Hemp Seed Meatballs

This is the meatless meatball you have been fantasizing about. These Lentil Quinoa Hemp Seed Meatballs by Larice Feuerstein have just the right spices, texture, and moisture. As a bonus, you get surprising little flecks of flavor from sun-dried tomatoes. These go well with pasta, in a sub, or can be eaten on their own.

6. Chickpea Turnip Meatballs

Source: Chickpea Turnip Meatballs

These gluten-free Chickpea Turnip Meatballs by Ashley Madden put the boring ol’ turnip to good use! They are high in fiber, low in calories, and a good source of protein. Not to mention, they are loaded with flavor! Not only are they packed with garlic, cumin, and coriander, they’re served in a delicious herbed tomato sauce. Yum!

7. Easy Tempeh Oat Meatballs

Source: Easy Tempeh Oat Meatballs

If you’re looking for a great, simple, plant-based protein-packed staple to incorporate into your meals,  these Easy Tempeh Oat Meatballs by Hailee Repko are the perfect recipe. These tempeh meatballs are easy to make, loaded with flavor, can be easily added to a variety of recipes, and are great for the meal prep crowd. They also pair perfectly with any sauce, so you can throw together classic spaghetti and meatballs, make a sandwich, or pair them with a sticky-sweet Asian glaze.

8. Meatless Meatballs

Source: Meatless Meatballs

These Meatless Meatballs by Valentina Chiappa are great over pasta, in a sandwich, or on their own. They are so delicious and hearty. Keep them for yourself or serve them at a dinner party! Meatless meatballs will definitely impress everyone and satisfy any craving.

9. Red Soy Meatballs with Tomato Sauce

Source: Red Soy Meatballs with Tomato Sauce

These homemade Red Soy Meatballs with Tomato Sauce by Lenia & Dimitra are great to put on top of pasta, put in vegan meatball sandwiches, or any other way you want to eat them. Easy, delicious, and a new classic!

10. Eggplant ‘Meatballs’

Source: Eggplant ‘Meatballs’

For a vegan option, these Eggplant ‘Meatballs’ by Raquel Pelzel use sweet potato or carrot puree instead of using egg. The texture is a bit delicate. You’ll especially love them when they break up into a marinara sauce for a Bolognese effect. To serve the cooked meatballs with marinara, simply add them to warm sauce and let them soak in it for a couple of minutes, or longer.

11. Beluga Lentil and Shiitake Meatballs

Source: Beluga Lentil and Shiitake Meatballs

These Beluga Lentil and Shiitake Meatballs by Valentina Chiappa are the perfect addition to many pasta dishes, sandwiches, or salads- you name it. They’re delicious, filling, and nutritious!

12. Mozzarella Quinoa Meatballs

Source: Mozzarella Quinoa Meatballs

Trade traditional meatballs in for something a little more wholesome (but just as filling) with these Mozzarella Quinoa Meatballs by Sara Hohn. Fluffy quinoa is rolled in flax seed, diced onion, garlic, herbs, and shredded vegan mozzarella, and then baked in the oven until brown. Serve on top of salad, in a sub, or with marinara and pasta.

13. Tempeh Meatballs

Source: Tempeh Meatballs

These Tempeh Meatballs by Lisa Dawn Angerame are a great plant-based option for when you’re craving something meaty. Try making a tempeh meatball sandwich or spaghetti and tempeh meatballs! You can also eat them with some veggies, on a salad, or even as hors d’oeuvres! They are flavored wonderfully with a myriad of spices, which makes them just as good alone as they are in a more complicated dish!

14. Lentil and Beet Meatballs With Pasta

Source: Lentil and Beet Meatballs With Pasta

Beets are truly one of the most under-appreciated vegetables. They are nutrient-rich, provide a mesmerizing color to whichever dish you add them to, and are extremely versatile. For this recipe for Lentil and Beet Meatballs With Pasta by Jyothi Rajesh, the crimson vegetable, along with red lentils, onions, spices, and bread crumbs, are formed into veggie meatballs. Place them atop a bed of hot spaghetti and just like that, you have a simple, yet hearty, dinner.

15. Swedish Veggie Meatballs

Source: Swedish Veggie Meatballs

These Swedish Veggie Meatballs by Philipp Ertl are easy to make, and you can get all the ingredients in your local supermarket! The texture is slightly meaty, and they are very rich in flavor. Combine them with a very nice savory cashew sauce.

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