Black Bean Meatballs with Marinara
This Black Bean Meatballs with Marinara recipe is a meatless meal that is still packed with protein and flavor. Serve them on their own or with spaghetti!
Somewhere along the way, I started eating A LOT of meatless meals. I think I’ve mentioned this before, but it really started when I was in culinary school.
To be honest, when I quit my full-time job to attend school, my husband and I didn’t have a lot of extra money. Eating vegetarian meals was one way we saved money during those years, because meat is expensive!
Over time, we got so used to eating these mostly bean-centric meals, that it didn’t really feel like we were giving up anything, or trying to eat cheaply. It just tasted good.
We ate a lot of black bean tacos, vegetarian fajitas, pizzas topped with only vegetables, and filling pasta dishes that didn’t need meat.
Now that we’re on more stable financial ground, we still eat these vegetarian meals a few nights a week. The money we save can be spent on other things, like traveling!
About these black bean meatballs:
Black beans are my favorite ingredient for meatless meals, because they have so much flavor on their own, and take really well to being jazzed up with herbs and spices, too.
Their dark color kind of fools your brain into thinking you might be eating meat, and they’re really sturdy, so they make for good “meatballs” and “burgers” and the like.
I find these just as satisfying as something meaty, like General Tso’s meatballs, Greek chicken meatballs, or air fryer turkey meatballs. And they make a great vegetarian addition to a New Year’s Eve snack board.
These have an Italian slant thanks to the oregano and marinara (and would be good served with pasta), but they could also take on a Mexican flavor if you used salsa instead of marinara.
Black Bean Meatballs with Marinara
Ingredients
- 1 can (15 ounces) no salt added black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1-1/2 tablespoons pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds), chopped
- 1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1-1/2 cups marinara sauce, warmed
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In medium bowl, use potato masher to mash and stir together beans, egg, breadcrumbs, pepitas, oregano, salt and pepper. Form mixture into 10 golf ball-sized balls.
- Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spray skillet with nonstick spray. Transfer meatballs to skillet; cook 6 to 8 minutes or until browned on all sides and warmed through, turning occasionally.
- Serve Black Bean Meatballs with marinara, garnished with parsley.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 400Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 1614mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 14gSugar: 15gProtein: 19g
Other great recipes with black beans:
- Crockpot Taco Soup – comes together in minutes.
- Layered Southwestern Cornbread Salad – make in advance and serve cold!
- Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl – let your crockpot do the work.
- Vegan Black Bean Burgers from The Stingy Vegan
I just made these for dinner and had to scour my Pinterest to find this recipe again just so I could comment!
All I can say is, WOW! We never have pumkin seeds where I live, so instead I substituted Badia brand Health Seed Trilogy Seeds (flax, chia, and hemp seeds) for a little texture kick. SO GOOD. Thank you for this! I don’t know how I never thought of this!
I am so glad you loved these, Shaye! Thank you so much for stopping by 🙂
Just made these! I used sunflower seeds in place of pumpkin seeds and crushed them a bit before adding them – they are so savory in the final patty! close to pumpkin seed flavor. And I added a touch of garlic powder, and onion powder. I have not found a successful vegetarian burger recipe in years, thank you for the simplicity! I must say, I like this a lot. I smooshed down the small golf ball sized meatballs to help them brown quicker, so I ended up with 12 mini patties ♥.
So glad these were a hit for you, Kelly! I like the idea of making them into little patties 🙂
Looks like a good
recipe, will try tonight. The best way to ruin a non stick frypan is to spray it with oil.
Curious…about how many golf ball-sized “meatballs” do you get out of this recipe?
Thanks! Can’t wait to try them with spaghetti and meatballs! ?
Never mind! Just saw where it says to form into 10 balls. My goof up!
No worries, Kelly. I hope you enjoyed this recipe!
I never would have guessed these are meatless!! What a great idea! Thank your for sharing! I pinned and stumbled to make sure I can find it!! Looking forward to giving these a try soon 🙂
Thanks so much Marion. I hope you love them!
Ummmm no, Anne, that was NOT too far. Because that sounds AMAZING! Why didn’t I think of this for the leftovers I had of these?!?
Thanks so much, Jen 🙂
YUM! We make a version with lentils – recipe from The Meatball Shop in NYC – to be honest, its sometimes hard to tell there is no meat. These are a must try, black beans are even tastier than lentils!
Yum, Kate. Now I want to make lentil meatballs! haha
As a Cuban Italian, this dish is pretty much perfect. Gorgeous photos too!
These meatballs look like the real deal! I could see those piled up on a fat soft roll, smothered in that marinara, and maybe topped with some provolone. OK maybe I’ve gone too far now
Sounds and looks delicious!
Thanks Ivana!
Love your twist on the meatballs and it sounds so flavorful and satisfying!!Great idea for a meatless meal 🙂
Thanks Soni!
We made black bean burgers last year that didn’t quite work out like I wanted, your meatball versions seem to have succeeded where mine failed as far as holding together so I am so excited to master these and then try the burgers again.
Awww, that’s the main reason I’ve been nervous to try making bean burgers. The great thing about meatballs is that they’re so small – so they’re a lot easier to turn without any crumbling!
Anything with the words black beans and I automatically want it! These sound great. I’ve yet to experiment with meatless meatballs.
Thanks so much, Lane. I feel the same way about black beans!
Thank you, Jennifer 🙂
Thanks Cindy!
I love black beans. This is a must try!
While I have eaten plenty a black bean burger, I was skeptical of how “meat-less-balls” would be in an Italian dish . . . And the verdict was very good. I didn’t even miss the meat. Well done honey!
Thanks, family. Maybe next time I’ll serve them with actual pasta instead of barley 😉
OMG I love black beans… they make perfect burgers, so why not meatballs?
My thoughts exactly, Sarah!
I’ve never made a meatless “meatball” before but I love the idea. We’ve been eating a lot of meat this winter, but I’m looking forward to a lot more meatless meals in the warmer months. Pinning this one for later!
Awesome, thanks Courtney!
We’ve made black bean burgers, but never meatballs. I love the tomato sauce with them!
Thanks Sarah!
LOVE these black bean meatballs!!! I love black bean burgers so I know I would love these! Pinning!!
Me too, Alice. There’s this restaurant near me that has the BEST black bean burgers! Wish I could figure out how they make them so good!
They look like grilled meatballs to me! Beautiful pics & they sound yummy. HUGS
Thanks!
What a fabulous idea!! I’m totally trying these!! Thanks for sharing your yummy recipe and mouth watering pics!
You’re welcome, Tammi. Thank you for stopping by!
Black beans are a fave meat substitute for me along with chick peas. I hope I can get my meat love to give these a try!
Oh yeah, I love chickpeas too. I ALWAYS have at least 1 can each of black beans and chickpeas in my cupboard, otherwise I get a little nervous.
I’ve been wanting to make meatless meatballs for awhile now, and these look so good. No sacrifice felt at all for eliminating meat. Pinning !!
Thanks so much, Susan!
Add me to the list of people who love black beans! What a great way to make them into “meatballs”.
Thanks Renee!
Wow, I’ve never seen a black bean meatball before! Awesome! I wish I could get my hubby to eat more meatless meals.
I’ve heard others bribe their husbands with dessert after a meatless meal? That could help 🙂
I love that they are soy free. Sometimes as a veggie it’s all soy, soy, soy! I try to only have it once a day and in moderation, now I don’t have to waste it on meatballs! Yum!
Oh, glad I could may a soy-less version for you, Shannon!
I love black bean burgers so I can only imagine how good these meatballs are!
Thanks Heather!
If I actually liked beans I’d be all over this because I will never say no to a meal with “meatballs”.
I still can’t believe you don’t like beans. But, we all have our things. I get it 🙂
These “meatballs” look simple to make and very tasty — a perfect meatless meatball! Yum!
And…and…and…you could make a mean meatball sandwich out of those on some of your beloved English muffins!
WHAT?!? Why didn’t I think of this?!? YES YES YES.
Lori, what a gorgeous dish! I adore black beans so I have a feeling I’d eat more than my share of your lovely meatballs 🙂
Thank you, Liz 🙂
You already know I love black beans and as meatballs! Oh my gosh! What a great idea!!
Thanks Jen!
I’m so intrigued by the use of pumpkin seeds in this recipe – definitely going to have to give it a try!
Thanks, Melanie. The pumpkin seeds aren’t super critical, but they do give the “meat”balls a little bit of crunch, which I like.
Black beans are a great ingredient for meatless meals, they are so versatile!
Totally agree!
Yum is all I can say! I love how creative these are! Beautiful pictures too!
Thanks so much, Manu!