Simple Tempeh Meatballs Recipes

SIMPLE VEGAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C) and prepare flax egg in a small dish by mixing flaxseed meal and water and let it rest for a few minutes.
• In a large, deep skillet, sauté onion and garlic in 1/2 Tbsp olive oil (as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) over medium heat until soft and translucent - about 3 minutes. Set aside.
• Add tempeh to food processor and pulse to break down. Then add sautéed garlic, onion, and remaining ingredients (except olive oil) and mix, scraping down sides as needed. You want it to form into a moldable "dough."
• Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. The tempeh will come across as a little bitter, but once coated, baked and served with marinara it's not nearly as apparent.
• NOTE: Depending on how salty your vegan parmesan cheese is, you may need to add a little salt and pepper at this point. However, I didn't find it necessary.
• Scoop out 1 Tbsp amounts of dough and roll into balls. At this time, heat the same skillet you used earlier to medium heat.
• Mix remaining bread crumbs and parmesan cheese together in a shallow dish. Add tempeh balls one or two at a time and roll to coat.
• Add enough olive oil to form a thin layer on the bottom of your hot skillet, then add your coated tempeh balls in two batches, as to not crowd the pan. Brown for about 5 minutes total, shaking the pan to roll them around to brown all sides.
• Add browned meatballs to a baking sheet and add to the oven to bake for about 15 minutes, or longer if desired for a crispier result.
• At this time, prep any pasta your want to serve with your meatballs, as well as your favorite marinara sauce (I love this pizza sauce).
• Once meatballs are deep golden brown and fairly firm to the touch, remove from oven.
• To serve, top cooked pasta with meatballs and pour over marinara sauce. Top with another sprinkle of vegan parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to a few days, though best when fresh.

TEMPEH MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
• Crumble tempeh into small bits and place in a medium pot, along with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer and cook until all the liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer to a large bowl and add all the remaining ingredients EXCEPT for the oil. Mix until everything is evenly incorporated, then set aside for a few minutes to cool.
• Pour enough oil into a rimmed baking dish (like a quarter-sheet pan) to generously coat the bottom - about 1/4 cup.
• Form the tempeh mixture into golf ball-sized balls with your hands, and place on the baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart.
• Bake for about 10 minutes. Then rotate the balls - either by shaking the pan or flipping with tongs - and continue baking for another 15 minutes or so, rotating the balls every 5 to 7 minutes, until they're brown all over.