Vegan Spaghetti Marinara with Lentil Balls
This vegan version of a traditional meatball recipe is made with lentils and mushroom. Try it with any marinara sauce for a healthy yet satisfying dish tonight!
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry brown lentils, rinsed and drained
- 1 8-oz. package button or cremini mushrooms, trimmed and chopped
- 1 onion, chopped (1 cup)
- 3 small cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup whole wheat flour
- 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons no-salt-added tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 lb. dry whole grain spaghetti
- 6 cups purchased oil-free marinara sauce
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil
Directions
- 1
In a large saucepan combine lentils and 1 1/2 cup water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Add mushrooms, onion, and garlic. Cover and cook about 15 minutes more or until lentils are tender. Uncover and cook until any remaining liquid has evaporated.
- 2
Stir in the next seven ingredients (through salt and pepper). Cook, uncovered, over low about 10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and pan is very dry, stirring occasionally. (Watch carefully so lentils do not scorch.) Spread mixture in a shallow baking pan; cool completely.
- 3
Preheat oven to 300°F. Line a 15×10-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Scoop out 2 Tbsp. lentil mixture, shape into a ball, and place in prepared pan. Repeat to make about 20 lentil balls. Bake 50 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp.
- 4
Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to package directions. In a saucepan heat marinara sauce. Drain spaghetti, return to pot, and toss with 3 cups of the warm marinara sauce.
- 5
To serve, top spaghetti with lentil balls and top with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with basil. They also freeze beautifully for up to a month: After baking, freeze them in an airtight container. Reheat in a 350°F oven 20 to 30 minutes.