These Easy Vegan Meatballs and Spaghetti are infused with amazing Italian dried herbs and flavor. These are baked, not fried, oil-free, dairy-free and made with chickpeas and couscous for amazing texture.
These Easy Vegan Meatballs are LOADED with flavor, Italian spices and wonderful texture. They are made with whole foods and plant-based protein from chickpeas and couscous. They are moist and delicious, and totally oil-free. They are baked and not fried, for a healthier version.
I can’t even count how many times I have been asked about turning my popular Spicy BBQ Lentil Loaf into “meatballs”. Unfortunately, that mixture is way too wet to form into balls, but it has been on my list to create some veggie “meat” balls for a long time. One of my ALL-TIME favorite meals to eat pre-vegan was the classic, Spaghetti and Meatballs. Simple, comforting and delicious. My husband would always take me to eat at Carrabba’s Italian grill and 9 times out of 10, that is what I would get.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED
- Chickpeas
- Onion
- Couscous
- Italian seasoning: I use my homemade Italian seasoning because it’s the best!
- Salsa or my homemade pizza sauce: This gives SO much flavor to these balls. I’ve found too many recipes don’t have enough flavor and these deliver in a big way. You could also try a thick marinara sauce if you like.
- Brown rice flour: Instead of using eggs like in traditional meatballs, the brown rice flour helps to hold these easy vegan meatballs together.
- Chili powder
- Liquid smoke
- Salt & pepper
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN MEATBALLS
Step 1: Cook the couscous.
Step 2: Process the onion and chickpeas in a food processor until chunky.
Step 3: Add the rest of the ingredients (except the brown rice flour and couscous) and process, being careful not to over process.
Step 4: Add the mixture to a bowl and stir in the cooked couscous and brown rice flour until thick and holding together well.
Step 5: Form into balls and bake at 375°F until firm and browned on each side.
HOW TO OBTAIN A MEATY TEXTURE WITHOUT MEAT
So, for the meaty texture, what did I use?? Couscous. Yes, couscous, it has a really chewy, hearty texture that worked freaking amazing in these balls! I tried several different things and I’m here to tell you, none of them were that great, but the couscous was the final win! I tried cornmeal, like I did in my lentil loaf and it didn’t work at all because the balls are so much smaller and cook much faster than the lentil loaf does.
These easy vegan meatballs hold together perfectly and don’t fall apart when you stick your fork into them, just like traditional meat. That was the biggest challenge I found when trialing these.
And oh boy will you be stuffed off this meal, just like a classic spaghetti and meatball dish. I mean, stuffed. Best part about this, besides the yum factor, it is so healthy and cholesterol-free, unlike the meat version.
I hope you all really love these vegan spaghetti and meatballs!
MORE VEGAN DINNER RECIPES
- Vegan Barbecue Lentil Loaf
- Best Vegan Alfredo Sauce
- Pumpkin Chipotle Chili
- Vegan Stuffed Ricotta Shells
- Cheesy Mexican Tortilla Bake
- Chickpea Tomato Ragu
Easy Vegan Meatballs (Baked, Oil-free)
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup couscous + 1/4 cup water I used this Rice Select brand
- 1 15 oz can chickpeas, drained & rinsed & patted dry
- 1/2 cup (75g) chopped onion
- 6-8 Tbsp medium-heat salsa OR my homemade pizza sauce (see directions)
- 3 tablespoons ketchup or more pizza sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning (one without salt or red pepper flakes) I use MINE
- 1-2 teaspoons regular chili powder (I used 2 and it has a kick of heat, use 1 for less spicy)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon + 1/8 teaspoon more (if needed) fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup (80g) brown rice flour
OPTIONAL FOR SERVING
Instructions
- First, make your couscous. Add the water to a small pot and bring to a boil, AS SOON as it starts bubbling, stir in the couscous quickly and remove from the heat. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes.
- I created this recipe using salsa for a wonderful depth of flavor, but some readers have subbed that with my pizza sauce, so that is an option too, for a more Italian flavor. If doing my pizza sauce, then reduce the Italian seasoning listed above from 2 tablespoons to only 1 (but following the exact recipe of my pizza sauce).
- In a food processor, add your chickpeas and onion and pulse to break up the mixture for a few seconds. Add all of the remaining ingredients, starting with just 6 tablespoons of the salsa or pizza sauce (you'll likely need 8 for the pizza sauce since it's thicker), except the couscous and brown rice flour.
- Pulse for just a few seconds, no more, just until the mixture resembles a wet rough chunky texture similar to a salsa. You don't want to over-blend and puree it too much or the balls will be too wet/mushy (refer to video for visual). You just want to make sure the chickpeas are no longer whole.
- Add the mixture to a large bowl and add the cooked couscous and brown rice flour. Stir for a few minutes until it all comes together in a sticky batter. Press the mixture repeatedly with the back of your spoon to make it come together. If the mixture is not sticking together, add a bit of the remaining salsa only if necessary. Once it is well mixed, place to chill in the fridge for about 20 minutes. This will make it easier to roll into balls.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Roll about 14 golf-sized balls with your hands, making sure they are tight and compact and place on the pan. Bake for 15 minutes on the first side, they should easily turn over. I just used my hand to flip them over. Bake another 15 minutes until firm and getting a nice golden brown crust. If you want them super crispy, go another 5 minutes. These balls are very moist inside so they can withstand the crispy exterior.
- While they are baking, heat up your pasta and marinara sauce of choice, or I highly recommend my 5 minute pizza sauce which works amazing as a spaghetti sauce! When the balls are done, coat them well with lots of sauce and pasta and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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I could not stop eating these! I substituted quinoa for the couscous. For the salsa since I wanted something less spicy I used spaghetti sauce instead. I really liked the crispiness on the outside and the soft texture inside. Great recipe!!! Thank you.
So happy to hear that!
Can these be frozen? Would you freeze before or after baking?
I’ve not froze them before but they should be fine. I’d freeze after baking them!
If I’m a vegetarian and not a vegan, are there things I can use like eggs, etc to make this easier to make — if so, what do I swap in for what?
Hi, I’m sorry I haven’t used eggs in over a decade so I really do not know how to tell you to adapt and know if it would work with the recipe!
Can I sub whole wheat flour or whole wheat breadcrumbs for brown rice flour?
I’ve not tried that, but I would try the wheat flour, not the breadcrumbs.
What can I substitute for brown rice as I can concerned about arsenic levels is brown rice and brown flour.
I made these tonight and i used millet (without the tapioca flour) to keep them gluten free. The recipe came together well but when i went to eat them I noticed that they were really dense. Any ideas what I could do to make them less dense? They didn’t pass the husband test. Unfortunately he won’t eat them.
I added this to spaghetti pasta, steamed mushrooms, thinly sliced fresh basil topped with the world famous garlic alfredo sauce with toast…..WOW!!! I tasted something very similar to this meatball at Ikea’s canteen recently so i was a bit familiar with the unique taste. Just keep an open mind and not think a “meatball” should taste and smell like an actual meatball. It’s different but delicious and doesn’t grease up the dishes afterwards .
This and other recipes in this site often makes me excited about the following day when I get to eat it again. Lol. Thank you for sharing this!!!
Does this freeze well?
I’ve never froze these, but I would think they’d be fine if they are wrapped really well!
I like the look of this but as I have coeliac disease I cant have couscous. Would it work with quinoa??
Also what is liquid smoke? May not have that this side of the pond!
Thanks
I haven’t tried it personally but several readers have done it. I just can’t vouch for the results! Liquid smoke is found with the marinades but you could leave out or add a pinch of smoked paprika!
I don’t have a plan small enough for 1/4 cool water and 1/4 cup couscous. How much cooked couscous, or bulgur, or millet should I use? Is it 1/2 cup?
Thank you.
Yes a little more than 1/2 cup!
Is there a substitute or is the liquid smoke optional or would it taste “weird” without it?
Hi Eric! You can leave it out or use smoked paprika if you like! Just gives it extra flavor.
How much smoked paprika would you suggest? Thanks so much.
Depending on how smoky you want it, I’d say 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon.
These are delicious. I was very skeptical because I was raised in a VERY Italian home and this seemed ridiculous. But, my family and I have adopted a plant based diet and there are some things I REALLY REALLY miss. Like meatballs. The consistency of these is excellent. She nailed it with the couscous. I would never have tried this combination, but I’m so glad Brandi did. I am also glad that my kids will have the experience of “rolling meatballs” with me!
These came out amazing!! Even my omni fiance took one bite and said “oh yeah, these are really good.” He never says that about my vegan food! Haha, thanks for a great recipe
Woohoo!! Awesome to hear!
I made these the other day and even my husband who isn’t vegan liked them. They’re very easy to make.
So wonderful to hear!
Could you use buckwheat flour or flax instead of the brown rice flour?
Hi Ali! I would not do flax, that would be way too bitter and intense of a flavor and since it is so binding, it would probably make them too gooey. The brown rice flour is a bit gritty, so it works great for the texture in these. You can try buckwheat flour, I just can’t say how it would perform having never tried it. Please let me know after you try it!
These are delicious and easy! I think I’ll make them smaller next time so they’re not so gooey inside… the flavor is perfect!
So glad you enjoyed them, Liz! Oh yes, they definitely should not be gooey! Have not had that issue, so make them smaller and make sure to cook them long enough!
I’ve been jaded in the past by mushy “meat”balls. But these did not disappoint! Finally! A vegan bean ball that doesn’t have a gross texture. I took my time to make sure I had a uniform mixture of broken up chickpeas and onions. I wasn’t in a hurry so I let these sit in the fridge overnight. It was easy to make the balls, and I think it helped the flour to absorb some of the moisture from the salsa so it wasn’t too soft and mushy. Thank you Brandi! These freeze well (uncooked) and I just toss them in the air fryer to crisp up.
So so awesome to hear all this Mallory, thank you!!
Hi,
WHat kind of spaghetti do you use? You know pasta is full of eggs, so can not be considered Vegan unless you use egg-free pasta. Does that exist? Thanks! Or.. just make sure you mention the meat balls are vegan but not the pasta! 🙂 Thank you!!!
Yes, most pastas found in the grocery isles are just wheat flour, no eggs. Very easy to find. Just read the ingredients. I’ve been vegan nearly 8 years and read anything I buy.
I finally made these tonight after wanting to for SOOO long. They were fantastic but just a tad gummy in the center so, I think I over-processed them a little, darn, my bad, I should have been more careful after your obvious warning! They were still really, really yummy, though. Now that I’ve made them once, I’ll do it better next time and there will be, for sure, a next time. I added some fresh herbs from my garden, I stirred them in right at the end, just because I had them(chopped basil, thyme, oregano and rosemary) Thank you so much for figuring out these recipes, I would never be able to figure this stuff out on my own. You make me look like a vegan veteran
Nice sounding recipe but I can’t get Trader Joe’s salsa and have no idea what it tastes like. Can you either describe it (is it Mexican style?) or give a from scratch recipe.
Cheers
It’s just a regular medium heat salsa. You can use any non chunky brand. Pace picante medium heat works!
BEST…VEGGIEBALLS…EVER!!!! SOOOOO much better than any other recipe I have tried ( and I have tried alot!)
Taste, texture and ease of recipe – all the best!
Thank you so much!!
Thank you Jean! That is so wonderful to hear how much you enjoyed these!
These are LEGIT! And I don’t even care for beans but since my Nutritarian diet style includes 1 cup per day I’m always looking for ideas. Every single thing I’ve made from your blog turns OUT! I used Fig brand packaged cooked no sodium navy beans. I would have used my home made salsa but wanted to use a processed one to be more true to the recipe and had a jar of Newman’s in the cabinet. I went the extra 5 minutes for the crusty exterior because I knew I’d be doing the spaghetti sauce. They are delicious! I generally don’t buy all the different flavored Newmans’s salsas (peach etc) but I bet that would also be a great deviation, too! You could do a bunch of different things with this base recipe. Like make a peach balsamic glaze instead of spaghetti sauce to go with the peach salsa on the inside.
In case you never tried it….try slicing up a peach, brushing on some balsamic vinegar then grind some pepper on top. OMG. LOL You could come up with some recipes with those flavor combinations!
Aww so sorry I missed this before! So happy you loved this so much, thank you so much for your kind words!!
Could you substitute regular flour? Also it looks like you might reference a certain brand of couscous but I don’t see it listed?
I’ve not tried it with all-purpose flour, but it may work. I just can’t say for sure texturally what the result would be without having tested it. The brand I used is called Rice Select, a pretty common brand at the stores.
I just fixed and added the link above 🙂
I made these the other day and not being a vegan myself I thought they ere delicious. Just a cuople questions; how would I reheat and do they freeze well? Thanks for a wonderful recipe 😊
I’m so glad you enjoyed them Lynn! I’ve not tried freezing them personally, but I’m pretty sure they would freeze just fine. Just bake them first, wrap very tightly in plastic wrap and again with foil and then put them in a ziplock bag or container. I would then just reheat them on low heat in the oven like maybe 300F. That is my guess!
Oh this recipe looks delicious!! I’m excited to give this a try now haha Hopefully I can make it this weekend, thank you!
Yay Bryan!! Can’t wait to hear!