Lentil Quinoa Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles is an easy, plant-based, and veggie-packed meal the whole family will love! Protein-packed vegan meatballs with a chunky veggie bolognese sauce served over a bed of zucchini noodles (zoodles)! Gluten-free and allergy-free, this healthy weeknight dinner idea will leave you full and satisfied.
A simple batch of lentil and quinoa based vegan meatballs with a delicious chunky vegetable bolognese-style sauce, all served over a bed of fresh spiralized zucchini noodles! A simple meal that packs a huge dose of veggies, plant-based protein, and fiber, so even the meat-eaters in the family will leave the table satisfied! Naturally vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-free, this meal is easy to meal prep ahead of time, and leftovers make a fantastic lunch idea!
There are so many versions of spaghetti and meatballs to enjoy as a vegan and celiac. From these high-protein vegan meatballs and your favorite gluten-free spaghetti, to beanballs and spaghetti squash, to spiralized sweet potato noodles and chicken meatballs for the meat-eaters! Zucchini noodles (aka zoodles) are a classic low-carb noodle option, and all you need is a high-quality spiralizer. I always recommend the Paderno World Cuisine brand, the only brand I use. Cheap handheld ones are not the vibe!
More Spiralizer Recipes:
- Spiralized Sweet Potato Crust Pizza
- Spicy Spiralized Sweet Potato Fries
- Smoky Spiralized Purple Sweet Potato Fries
- Raw Spiralized Thai Salad
- Balsamic Tahini Beet Noodles
- Sunshine Spiralized Beet Salad
Lentil Quinoa Meatballs and Zucchini Noodles
Lentil Quinoa Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles is an easy, plant-based, and veggie-packed meal the whole family will love! Protein-packed vegan meatballs with a chunky veggie bolognese sauce served over a bed of zucchini noodles (zoodles)! Gluten-free and allergy-free, this healthy weeknight dinner idea will leave you full and satisfied.
- Prep Time: 30 Minutes
- Cook Time: 25 Minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Stove-Top, Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 4 Medium Zucchini (1 per serving)
Meatballs:
- ½ Cup Uncooked Quinoa
- ½ Cup Uncooked Brown Lentils
- 1 TB Ground Flax Seed (mixed with 1 TB water)
- 1 TB Nutritional Yeast
- 1 Tsp Dried Parsley
- 1 Tsp Dried Basil
- 1 Tsp Dried Oregano
- 1 Tsp Dried Marjoram
- ½ Tsp Onion Powder
- ½ Tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ Tsp Smoked Paprika
- ½ Tsp Black Pepper
Bolognese Sauce:
- 1 15 oz Can No Salt-Added Plain Tomato Sauce
- 1 15 oz Can No-Salt- Added Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
- 2 Cups Chopped Eggplant
- 1 ½ Cups Chopped Portobello Mushrooms
- ¼ Cup Diced Shallots
- 2 TB Nutritional Yeast
- 1 Tsp Dried Oregano
- 1 Tsp Dried Basil
- 1 Tsp Dried Marjoram
- ½ Tsp Garlic Powder
- Salt and Black Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
For The Zucchini Noodles:
- Cut the ends off each zucchini and place it on the Spiralizer using the ¼-inch blade. Spiralize each zucchini and set aside each individual portion.
For The Meatballs:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a large sauce pot, add the ½ cup of quinoa and ½ cup of lentils along with 2 ⅓ cups of water. Bring the pot to a boil before covering and reducing the heat to a simmer. Cook for 20-30 minutes, until all the water is absorbed.
- In a blender or food processor, add the cooked quinoa and lentils, all the meatball spices, herbs, nutritional yeast, and gelled flaxseed. Blend everything together into a slightly lumpy dough.
- Grease a large 9x13 inch baking pan or line a baking sheet with a Silpat. Roll 2 tablespoon-sized balls using your hands for each meatball and space them out on the baking sheet. Aim for 3-4 meatballs per person (4 servings). Bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes, until the meatballs are golden brown.
For The Bolognese Sauce:
- In a large sauce pot, add all the sauce ingredients and stir together. Cover the pot and allow the sauce to cook for about 15 minutes over medium heat, until the veggies have softened.
- Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and gently stir before allowing everything to simmer together for about 5 minutes, uncovered.
- Serve the 3-4 meatballs and sauce over each portion of zucchini noodles you prepared and garnish with extra parsley, vegan parmesan, and serve with a side of gluten-free garlic bread if desired!
Notes
- Make-Ahead: If prepping the meal ahead of time, leave the sauce separate from the baked meatballs and, before serving, simply warm the sauce on the stove when you add the meatballs to simmer. You can also prep the zoodles in advance.
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Warm the sauce with meatballs back up on the stove or quickly in the microwave.
- If you don't like zucchini noodles, you can always serve the meatballs and sauce over any type of spaghetti or noodles!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
This hearty meal won't leave you feeling sluggish! It's a perfect vegan comfort food meal that takes boring spaghetti and meatballs up 10 notches!
So tell me:
+ What's your favorite way to serve zoodles?
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superfabulouslife
Those look absolutely divine and the way that you garnished them brings such a wonderful presentation. I am definitely going to try this recipe!
Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much! It is one of those "looks complicated" but is actually pretty easy recipes!
Molly
It’s always nice to see a plant-based “meatball” with no seitan involved! The sauce sounds great, too.
Strength and Sunshine
That's my job 😉 I need it gluten free and soy free too!
Deborah Smikle-Davis
Hi Rebecca,
This recipe my just become my favorite plant-based "comfort food" recipe!
Thank you so much for sharing this healthy and delicious recipe on the Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Blog Hop! I appreciate it!
Strength and Sunshine
I'm so happy you like it!
CJ Huang
It looks like such fun to make your own "noodles" out of just about anything. 🙂
Strength and Sunshine
Haha, it is! I had a hard time stopping!
zsudever
Looks really great! Especially those zucchini noodles
Zsu @ Zsu’s Vegan Pantry
Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! They are so fun to make...and eat 🙂
Kierston
Okay, you've inspiralized me 😉
Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha! Mission accomplished 🙂
Nicole
I'm new to lentils and quinoa so I always appreciate when someone shares a recipe that gives me new ways to use both of those ingredients.
Strength and Sunshine
I'm glad I could show you some versatility with them instead of just plain cooking them! They are a perfect source of plant-based protein!
Becca
Oh my gosh! That looks DELISH!!
Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Becca!
fittingintovegan
Yum, this looks great! Almost guilt-free!
Strength and Sunshine
Almost guilt-free? Real food has no guilt!
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo
I've heard so many good things about spiralizers I think I might just have to get one. Your photos had me salivating! Commenting from SITS
Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Phoebe! Drooling is always good 😉 I would totally encourage you to buy one! It is definitely worth it if you love a quick easy way to make healthy dishes!
Teresa Britton
Oh wow, this looks great! I've been a vegetarian for about 20 years, but I am still finding new ideas. I can't wait to try this 🙂
Strength and Sunshine
20 years, that is awesome! You can never stop learning about food, cooking, and recipes! That is why I love it so much 🙂
@thetravelguru_
I never have before but this look absolutely lush so I may have to go buy one! #SITS
Strength and Sunshine
You will love it! You can use any veggie really, from beets, to potatoes, to carrots. So many possibilities!
Alli
That look so yummy, I can't wait to try out those meatballs. I've been on the hunt for meatless meal ideas that I think my family will eat, and these are topping my list of must try now. My boys love meatballs, maybe they'll love these too! (following from the SITS group!)
Strength and Sunshine
I bet they will! They really do look like "real" meatballs...maybe they won't even know, haha! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Rachel
We love making noodles and I don't eat meat so I have to try these meatballs too!
Strength and Sunshine
I hope you do! It is a fun a rewarding recipe when done 🙂
Miranda
This looks so YUMMY. I haven't found a good vegan alternative to meatballs yet, and I'm looking forward to trying your lentil quinoa! Thank you!
Strength and Sunshine
You will be happy with these! They are so good and just like a "real" meatball...except better, more nutritious, and cruelty-free!
lovenataliemarie
I wish I had a spiralizer. Oh the recipes I would create! I think I may invest in one soon. 😀
This looks so delicious. Mouth watering. Divine. Yum.
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Natalie!! You can get the best one for under $35 on Amazon!
Meredith @ Peachy Clean Eats
Love the idea for the meatballs! I make regular quinoa balls but so keen on the lentil idea 🙂 thanks for sharing
Strength and Sunshine
It adds even more excellent plant-based protein! I love lentils and they are so satisfying and nutrient dense!
eatgreatbegreat
I really need to get a spiralizer! I love the idea of making zucchini noodles. Looks amazing!
Strength and Sunshine
You should! They are super cheap and totally worth it!
Ashley
I’m so happy that I came across your blog on Instagram! It looks like you have so many delicious recipes. I can’t wait to try some. I definitely need to try this one!
Ashley, Married to the Game
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Ashley! I'm glad you found me 🙂 Let me know if you give any recipes a try!
Inspiralized
Looks great! Beautiful photos, too!
Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! 🙂 Your blog is so perfect for spiralizing inspiration and info 😉