1. Recipes

How to Make Chef John's Meatless Meatballs - A Step-by-Step Guide

Who says meatballs have to be made with meat? Chef John is here to show you how to make delicious and satisfying meatless meatballs that are just as hearty and flavorful as their traditional counterparts. Whether you're a vegetarian, looking to cut back on meat, or simply seeking a new and exciting recipe to try, these meatless meatballs are sure to impress.

Using a combination of hearty ingredients like black beans, quinoa, and mushrooms, Chef John has crafted a recipe that is packed...

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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound fresh white mushrooms, finely chopped
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ½ cup finely chopped onion
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1 ounce very finely shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • ½ cup bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, packed
  • 2 large eggs, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • 1 pinch dried oregano
  • 3 cups pasta sauce
  • 1 tablespoon very finely shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, or to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins
  • Additional Time: 4 hrs
  • Total Time: 5 hrs 45 mins
  • Servings: 4
  • Yield: 16 small meatballs

  • Gather and prep all ingredients.
  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms to the hot oil, sprinkle with salt, and cook and stir until liquid from mushrooms has evaporated. Stir butter into mushrooms, reduce heat to medium, and cook and stir mushrooms until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir onion into mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent, 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and stir garlic into mushroom mixture until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl.
  • Mix oats into mushroom mixture until thoroughly combined. Gently stir 1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese into the mixture. Add bread crumbs, 1/4 cup parsley, and 1 egg; season with salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and oregano. Mix together with a fork until crumbly. Stir in remaining 1 egg. The mixture should hold together when pressed.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours. For best flavor and texture, refrigerate overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
  • Form mixture into small meatballs using a 2-tablespoon scoop. Roll meatballs lightly between your hands until smooth, if desired; arrange meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until meatballs are lightly golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Bring pasta sauce to a boil in a large saucepan; reduce heat to low. Gently stir meatballs into sauce until coated. Simmer meatballs in sauce until cooked through, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with 1 tablespoon Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and 1 tablespoon parsley.

    • Nutrition

    421 cal.

    • Total Fat: 18g
    • Saturated Fat: 6g
    • Cholesterol: 110mg
    • Sodium: 1695mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 50g
    • Dietary Fiber: 8g
    • Total Sugars: 21g
    • Protein: 17g
    • Vitamin C: 15mg
    • Calcium: 215mg
    • Iron: 4mg
    • Potassium: 1135mg

    Categories

    Vegetarian recipes
    Italian recipes
    Main recipes
    Appetizer recipes
    Protein recipes