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These easy Quinoa Vegetarian Meatballs have heaps of traditional Italian spices and two types of cheese! You pan sear them first then bake them for a beautiful crispy exterior and tender, flavorful interior. So toothsome, you will never even miss the meat!
Quinoa has made an appearance in everything from salad to these Vegetarian Meatballs. Instead of all the pumpkin and apple baking that I should be doing, I’ve been going a little quinoa crazy! The next stop is breakfast! Try these quinoa breakfast recipes with me!
I just can’t get enough!
I used to think of homemade, Italian meatballs as an occasional indulgence, but these are so easy to pull together and healthy that they are sure to become a regular dish instead!
These quinoa vegetarian meatballs are chewy, substantial, and have robust Italian flavors. You might know from my Italian Sausage Soup Recipe and my Ricotta Meatballs Recipe, that Italian-style aromatics are some of my favorites to cook! Due to the fresh herbs and cheese, you won’t recall this is vegetarian, plus the quinoa creates a texture that is reminiscent of meat.
I pan sear them before baking them for a nice crunchy, seared exterior characteristic of a traditional Italian meatball while being quinoa and vegetarian.
Whether or not you are vegetarian, you and your family will love these easy meatless meatballs! Serve several meatballs with whole-wheat noodles, homemade red pasta sauce, and a generous sprinkling of Asiago cheese! So toothsome and satisfying, you’ll never even miss the meat!
You might want to make a double batch of these quinoa vegetarian meatballs. Everyone will eat them before you can blink twice!
Storing Quinoa Vegetarian Meatballs
You can also make them ahead of time and either freeze them or store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. I like to reheat the meatballs in a pot of tomato sauce to keep them moist. Dinner is ready when the sauce and quinoa vegetarian meatballs are heated through!
If you tried this recipe and loved it please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you; your comments make my day!
Quinoa Vegetarian Meatballs {GF Option}
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked quinoa [instruction below]
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated
- ¼ cup asiago cheese grated
- ¼ cup fresh basil minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano minced
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme
- 3 small garlic cloves minced fine
- 1 large egg
- 2 large pinches kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
To make the Quinoa:
- In a fine sieve strainer, pour 1 cup quinoa, pick over for stones, and rinse with cold water. In a medium saucepan mix the quinoa with 2 cups cold water (or broth). Add about 1 tablespoon olive oil and a large pinch of kosher salt, and stir to mix. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stir, reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook covered for approximately 30-40 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the quinoa is soft.
To make the meatballs:
- Preheat your oven to 350°. Heat a large cast iron skillet or pan over medium heat until searing hot.
- Mix together all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour a little olive oil into the preheated skillet. Form a meatball a little smaller than a golf ball and place the meatball in the skillet starting in the center. Working as quickly as possible, repeat with the remaining meatballs, radiating them out from the center in a spiral pattern. [You could certainly pre-form all the meat balls and have them ready for this step, but I am all about cutting out wasted time, and that, is wasted time.]
- Once you have finished placing all the meatballs in the skillet, it is time to start turning them! Gently turn each meatball once it has browned on the opposite side. My burner causes my large cast iron skillet to be unevenly hot, so I swap some of the middle meatballs for the outer meatballs to ensure an even sear.
- Bake in skillet or transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Before You Go
I hope you enjoyed this professional chef-tested recipe. Check out our other delicious, chef-developed dinner recipes or try these baked turkey meatballs next!
I am not vegan, but these look delicious!
Haha! These definitely aren’t vegan…hello, cheese! But thanks, Laura!
What a creative recipe, Lindsey! I love finding new ways to use quinoa, and this sounds like the perfect dish! Pinning!
Lol me too! Thanks for the pin!
Italian food is the all-time best comfort food ever. I applaud you for keeping it healthy and holding off on the Fall baking bonanza, too. I’m thinking I could go for some of these meatballs for dinner tonight…what time are you bringing them over? 🙂
Around 6? Next Tuesday? 😉
You’re making me wait a whole week? Hmph.
Patience, grasshopper!
Quinoa is one of my favourites. . Love the idea of quinoa meatballs..its just brilliant. . Can’t wait to try this amazing recipe. . 🙂
Thanks, Arpita! Trying to balance out all the cookies!
yumm! delicious and healthy!
Thanks, Manali!
Major yum, I just want to reach through the screen and gobble up this entire plate! 🙂
Lol! Me too…guess it’s time to make some more!
Lindsey, this is such an awesome idea! I make quinoa cakes/burgers, but I’ve never thought to make into meatballs. Super fun, and they look delicious! Pinning. 🙂
Thanks, marcie! I think you’ll love them! And thanks for the pin!
Mmm these “meatballs” look delicious!! I love quinoa but haven’t used it in a while. With all these delicious quinoa recipes, I need to start again!
You must, you must, you must! I’ve even turned my husband into a fan (not that he’ll admit that to anyone)