Veggie Meatballs are a healthy freezer recipe that can be on the table in just 20 minutes! Made with gluten free whole grains, beans, and loaded with flavor.
This, my friends, is Freezer Meal February!
In all honesty, this series is a bit self-serving. I am determined to get the freezer packed full of healthy meals before baby Perry is born next month. But really who couldn't use a quick and easy weeknight meal that they can pull out of the freezer and have on the table in 30 minutes or less? And a meal that is truly healthy? Anyone out there???
I have already been loving these freezer meals so much that I am sure we will keep it up even after we have a handle on the whole new parent thing. Or does that ever really truly happen? I have a feeling we will be in learning mode for years to come!
When I though back to some of the freezer meals my parents used to have on hand, one immediately jumped out at me: freezer meatballs. I genuinely LOVED a big bowl of pasta smothered with sauce and studded with juicy meatballs.
And I am pretty sure I will never grow out of my love for this classic comforting combo. These Veggie Meatballs are my nutrient dense, plant based solution, to still eating one of our favorite meals.
They are loaded with beans, whole grains, and veggies, but still pass the taste test from the meat eaters in my life. These Veggie Meatballs are good.
How do you reheat frozen meatballs?
Once the Veggie Meatballs are prepped, just pop them into your freezer to enjoy in a pinch. I put them directly into a pot of pasta sauce and let them simmer until they are warmed through and juicy.
These Veggie Meatballs are great with regular and gluten free pastas, but I like them the best with a bean based noodle. This adds even more protein to dinner and if you have any leftovers, they keep well in the fridge and even reheat like a dream.
PrintFreezer Meal: Veggie Meatballs
- Cook Time: 60
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 15 meatballs 1x
Description
Veggie Meatballs are a healthy freezer recipe that can be on the table in just 20 minutes! Made with gluten free whole grains, beans, and loaded with flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
- 4 oz crimini mushrooms
- ½ white onion, roughly chopped
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 (15)oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup gluten free quick oats
- ½ cup sun dried tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flaxseed meal and 2 tablespoons of water. Set aside to thicken for 5 minutes.
- Add the mushrooms and onions into a food processor fitted with an “S” blade. Pule until broken down into a fine dice. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add in the avocado oil. Once the oil is hot, add in the mushroom and onion mixture plus the salt. Sauté until the mushrooms have released their moisture and the moisture has evaporated, about 7-10 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute. Return the mixture to the food processor.
- Add in the flaxseed mixture, cannellini beans, oats, sun dried tomatoes, fennel, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Process until a smooth mixture forms, scraping down the sides as necessary. Using a 2 tablespoon measure, form the mixture into round balls. If it sticks to your hands, rub your hands with a little nonstick spray. Place the meatballs onto the prepared sheet tray and bake for 25 minutes. Flip the meatballs and bake for another 20 minutes. You can enjoy the meatballs now, or let them cool and place them in a freezer friendly zip top bag or lidded container.
To reheat the veggie meatballs from frozen:
- Add a jar of your favorite sauce to a pot. Place in as many meatballs as you would like to enjoy, making sure the meatballs are covered in the sauce. Cover and gently bring the sauce to a simmer. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are warmed through. Serve with your favorite pasta.
Tried this out tonight and it was amazing. It was a huge hit with my husband and a somewhat picky 6 year old. We don't like fennel so left that out. And my husband would prefer just basil instead of Italian seasoning.
★★★★
Hi Nadine! So glad your family enjoyed it! Basil sounds like it would be a great addition!