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4.6 from 102 votes

Cannellini Bean Vegetarian “Meatballs” with Tomato Sauce

These vegetarian meatballs will satisfy both vegetarians and meat eaters! A fantastic option for meatless dinners.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 2594 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cans 15 ounces each Bush's Cannellini Beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 roasted red bell pepper 2 halves, roughly chopped
  • ½ medium yellow onion grated
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ cup chopped Italian parsley
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup dried breadcrumbs see note
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 cups marinara sauce your favorite kind
  • Parmesan cheese for grating
  • Cooked Spaghetti

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Thoroughly coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
  2. In the bowl of a food processor, combine beans and roasted red peppers. Pulse until chopped, but not smoothly pureed.
  3. Transfer the mixture to a medium-sized bowl and stir in grated onion, garlic, parsley, oregano, egg, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper until well combined.
  4. Using a rounded 2 tablespoon portion of the bean mixture, form “meatballs” by rolling between the palms of your hands. Place the “meatballs” on the prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly.
  5. Bake until the meatballs are firm to the touch and have developed a light golden brown coating, 15 to 20 minutes.
  6. In a large saucepan, heat you favorite marinara sauce over medium heat until simmering. Add “meatballs” and stir to coat. Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, 10 to 15 minutes.
  7. Serve over spaghetti and top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • Weight Watchers Points: 5 (Freestyle SmartPoints), 7 (Points+)
  • Note: The amount of breadcrumbs required can change depending on the climate (dry vs. humid). If you find that the "meatballs" are not holding together firmly as you are shaping the first few, add more breadcrumbs, then reshape.

Nutrition Information

Serving 0.25of Meatballs & Sauce Calories 259.4kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 51.5g (17%) Protein 15.8g (32%) Fat 2.4g (4%) Saturated Fat 0.4g (2%) Cholesterol 46.5mg (16%) Sodium 1002.1mg (42%) Fiber 12.9g (52%) Sugar 9.1g (18%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 2594

% Daily Value*

Serving 0.25of Meatballs & Sauce
Calories 259.4kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 51.5g 17%
Protein 15.8g 32%
Fat 2.4g 4%
Saturated Fat 0.4g 2%
Cholesterol 46.5mg 16%
Sodium 1002.1mg 42%
Fiber 12.9g 52%
Sugar 9.1g 18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.