I am always on the lookout for tasty vegetarian Italian recipes, and although I have recipes on the blog for Bread Meatballs, along with Lentil Meatballs, I was intrigued when I read about making meatballs using eggplant and white beans. I found some recipes online for eggplant meatballs, and tried one but found that the end product was too soft and even slightly mushy. These “meatballs” made solely with eggplant certainly wouldn’t have impressed my meatball loving grandkids! My next experiment involved mixing eggplant with cannellini beans, and I liked this texture a lot more as they resembled my Italian Mother-in-Law’s beef meatballs once they were cooked. The final result in fact, may fool many meat lovers if you didn’t tell them what these “meatballs” were made of.
It took a bit of experimenting to get these “meatballs” exactly right, and there are a few steps that you need to follow to get the texture perfect. After the mixture has been combined, it needs to be refrigerated to firm up at least four hours. Overnight chilling is even better! The exact amount of soft breadcrumbs needed in the recipe also depends on how much moisture you can remove from the eggplant before adding it to the rest of the ingredients. You want the mixture to be firm enough to form into balls but still have it remain moist. Also, do not puree the mixture until completely smooth, as a bit of texture creates a better “meatball”. You can either serve these vegetarian meatballs on their own topped with sauce and cheese, or serve along with pasta topped with some of the sauce. To make the soft breadcrumbs, I put diced Italian bread into my food processor and pulse until finely ground.
Click here for my tomato sauce that I serve with these meatballs. 
Vegetarian Eggplant and Bean Meatballs
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Hearty vegetarian meatballs baked in a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lbs (454 g) Eggplant
- 1 can (400 g) Cannellini Beans
- Salt
- 3 tbsp Chopped Fresh Parsley Leaves
- 2 cloves Garlic Cloves
- 0.5 cups (118 ml) Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2.5 cups (592 ml) Soft Breadcrumbs
- 1 Egg White
- 0.25 cups (60 ml) Olive Oil
- Pepper
- 0.5 cups (118 ml) Grated Parmesan or Pecorino Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Place the eggplant on a foil-lined baking sheet and pierce in several spots.
- Bake the eggplant until very soft, about 25 minutes, then allow to cool.
- Pull the skin off the eggplant and place in a colander.
- Place a plate on top, then weight it with a large, heavy can.
- Let the eggplant drain for 20 minutes to remove as much liquid as possible.
- Place the eggplant, beans, salt, pepper, parsley, garlic, cheese, and 2 cups of the breadcrumbs in a food processor, and pulse until mixed.
- Place the mixture in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of four hours up to overnight.
- While the eggplant mixture is chilling, prepare the sauce.
- Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and cook a minute or two.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and pepper flakes if using.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook 20 minutes.
- Remove the eggplant mixture from the refrigerator, and roll into 2-inch balls.
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, then cook the “meatballs” in batches until they are browned on all sides, about 8 minutes per batch.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).
- Prepare an oven-proof casserole dish by spooning enough sauce to cover the bottom, then place the “meatballs” on top of the sauce, and sprinkle with the grated cheese.
- Bake until bubbly, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Notes
- For best results, squeeze excess moisture from the eggplant using a clean kitchen towel after draining. This helps create firmer meatballs.
- To make gluten-free meatballs, substitute the breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or finely crushed gluten-free crackers.
- These meatballs freeze beautifully! Cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 500
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 10
- Protein: 15
- Cholesterol: 20
Find it online: https://honestcooking.com/vegetarian-eggplant-bean-meatballs/
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different bean instead of cannellini?
White beans of similar size and texture, such as Great Northern beans or navy beans, work well. Chickpeas are another option but produce a denser meatball.
Why do I roast the eggplant whole rather than cubing it?
Roasting whole keeps the flesh moist and allows the skin to act as a barrier. Once roasted, the flesh scoops out easily and has a smoky, concentrated flavor that cubing and sautéing does not achieve.
How do I keep eggplant meatballs from falling apart?
Make sure the eggplant is well drained of moisture before mixing. The egg white, breadcrumbs, and cheese all act as binders. Chilling the formed balls for 20 minutes before baking also helps them hold their shape.
Can I pan-fry these instead of baking them?
Yes, pan-fry in olive oil over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Baking is lighter, but pan-frying gives a crispier exterior.
What sauce works best with eggplant and bean meatballs?
A simple tomato basil sauce is the most natural pairing. Pesto or a lemon-caper butter sauce also work well for a lighter option.
