Lentil meatballs in tomato sauce are a great alternative to the more classic meatballs, perfect for kids who often don’t go crazy for legumes or for anyone who, for ethical or health reasons, follows a vegetarian diet.
These meatballs are incredibly simple and quick to make, especially using pre-cooked lentils, of which I recommend always keeping a few cans in your pantry.
You’ll just need to add an egg, cheese, garlic, parsley, salt, and breadcrumbs to the lentils, which give the mixture the right consistency to form the meatballs to be dipped in a simple tomato sauce.
Now take a minute to read the recipe and then…let’s cook and eat!!
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- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 2
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups cooked lentils
- 1 egg
- 1/2 clove garlic
- to taste chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- to taste breadcrumbs
- to taste salt
- 1 3/4 cups tomato passata
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 drizzle extra virgin olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste basil (or fresh thyme)
Tools
- 1 Food processor
- 1 Pan
- 1 Garlic press
Steps
To prepare the lentil meatballs in tomato sauce, first of all, drain the pre-cooked lentils from their preserving liquid and rinse them under running water.
Transfer the lentils into a food processor and add the egg, grated cheese, already crushed garlic, a sprig of parsley, and salt.
Turn on the food processor and grind until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous mixture.
Transfer the meatball mixture into a bowl and add enough breadcrumbs to make the mixture workable. The amount of breadcrumbs to use varies and also depends on the size of the egg used.
Once you have achieved the right consistency, form the meatballs.
In a pan, heat a drizzle of oil and brown the meatballs for a few minutes, then transfer them to a plate and in the same pan add a clove of garlic and the tomato passata.
Let the sauce reduce for 10 minutes, after which add salt, basil, and finally the meatballs. Continue cooking for another 10 minutes.
Serve the lentil meatballs in tomato sauce still hot and with a side of vegetables of your choice 😉.
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