Vegan Mushroom Meatballs in Pepper Sauce {Quick Meal}

If you’ve never made meat-free meatballs before, the texture will seem different then what you are used to. Don’t worry! They will still hold together during baking and taste delicious when smothered in red pepper sauce.

Just trust me on this, m’kay?

Ingredients

This is what you’ll need for the mushroom mixture:

• Flax eggs – ground flax meal and filtered water
• Nuts – almonds, pistachios, or walnuts (toasted or roasted work best)
• Veggies – red onion and mushrooms
• Flour – gluten-free flour or oat flour (can also use chickpea flour)
• Nutritional yeast
• Garlic
• Tamari soy sauce
• Seasonings – fresh basil, dried parsley, paprika, onion salt, salt and pepper
• Oil or vegan butter – for the pan

Substitutions

• You can replace the spices with seasoning blends if you’d prefer. To do this, leave out the paprika, parsley, and onion salt and replace with 2 teaspoons Italian & herb or BBQ spice mix.
• Regular soy sauce can be used in place of the tamari if you are not gluten-free or sensitive to gluten.

What sauce should you cook the mushroom meatballs in?

My favorite is of course, this easy blender pepper sauce. Made with pantry staples, yet again! But not to worry, this meatball recipe is great with just about any sauce. For reals!

ROASTED RED PEPPER SAUCE

In this vegan meatball recipe, we’re serving the meatless goodness with an AMAZING red pepper sauce. Note that the sauce recipe link takes you to the salmon and red pepper post. The sauce is in the recipe card, first.

For that, you will need:

• Jarred roasted red peppers
• Smoked nuts – almonds and/or cashews
• Plum tomato
• Red wine vinegar – can also use Sherry cooking wine
• Cream – use a non-dairy unsweetened creamer/milk to keep this dish vegan or heavy cream for dairy loving folk.
• Garlic
• Spices – paprika, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper

How to make PERFECT vegan meatballs

1. Start by making your flax eggs. Combine the flax and water together in a small bowl using a whisk or a spoon. Set aside to thicken.
2. Add the nuts to the bowl of a blender or food processor and let that baby run and blend until you get a fine nut meal.

Mix with the flour in a small bowl and set aside. NOTE: If you are using raw nuts, dry toast them first to release the oils and flavors. Trust me, it’s soooo worth the extra 15 minutes.

 

 

3. Next, add some oil to a large pan over medium heat. When the oil starts to shimmer in the pan, add the red onion and sauté until soft and fragrant.
4. Add the sliced mushrooms and continue to cook until those have softened and are lightly browned.
5. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove the lid, season with salt and pepper, and stir again. Turn off the heat and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
7. Wait until the mixture cools down, then transfer everything from the pan to the bowl of a food processor or blender. Add the minced garlic and blend everything to make a paste. You may need to stop and scrape the sides a few times.

3. Transfer the paste to a mixing bowl. Then, simply stir in the flour/nut mixture.
4. Add the tamari, nutritional yeast, spices, and herbs and stir together. Then mix in the flax egg.
5. Scoop evenly sides balls from the mixture and gently finish forming with your hands. If the mixture is too soft, chill for about 30 minutes and try again.
6. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure to space them out so they aren’t touching.
7. This vegan meatball recipe makes 6 large meatballs or 10-12 smaller ones. For larger meatballs, bake at 400 degrees F for 30-35 minutes. For smaller meatballs, only cook for 25-30 minutes.

Here’s how to make the oh, so gorgeous, silky, creamy RED PEPPER SAUCE:

1. Put all the ingredients except for the cream in a blender or food processor.
2. Blend until smooth, then transfer to a small saucepan. Heat over low heat and stir in the cream.
3. Continue to heat for 2-4 minutes until warm, smooth, and combined.
4. Spoon over your mushroom meatballs and enjoy!

For ingredients measurements and more instructions on making this sauce, you can find the recipe here.

We garnished with hemp seeds for a nutty topping that looks similar to parmesan! Super tasty and delicious!.

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Alright my friends, let me know if you give this recipe a whirl! It truly has become as repeat meatless recipe in our house. I think you’re family will love to too!

p.sHow are you guys holding up during this time? Comment below or email me! I want to know and be there for you. <3

Cheers & stay healthy,

LC