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Spaghetti and Beanballs




I've always fancied making veggie meatballs to top a bowl of spaghetti, but I just never got around to it until now. Well I did used to make them many years ago, but they came from a packet.

I think of 'meatballs'  every time the 'on top of spaghetti' song pops into my head. It was a song I learned in Brownies. You don't know it?






Spaghetti Song



On top of spaghetti, 

All covered with cheese,
I lost my poor meatball, 
When somebody sneezed.



It rolled off the table,

And on to the floor,
And then my poor meatball,
Rolled out of the door.



It rolled down the garden,

And under a bush,
And then my poor meatball,
Was nothing but mush.



So if you eat spaghetti,

All covered with cheese,
Hold on to your meatball,
Cause someone might sneeze.




A cautionary tale if ever there was one, I think you'll agree?

When I sing it to Cooper, I always sing beanballs, so it was about time I made some, so he knew what they heck I singing about.

I served my bean balls in a simple tomato sauce.

For my beanballs I used kidney beans, but you could use a variety of beans and to make them. To make them suitable for Graham who is vegan, I bound them with some peanut butter and flavoured them with cumin.

They worked really well and we all enjoyed them. I'll definitely make them again. I might try making some mini bean balls next time, just for the cuteness factor.

Love this recipe? Try my Vegan Meatball Bake with Roasted Vegetables



print recipe

Spaghetti and Beanballs
A scrummy vegetarian meatball to serve coated with tomato sauce on top of spaghetti.
Ingredients
  • 400g tin kidney beans
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 2 heaped tbsp peanut butter
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
  • 2 tbsp water
  • a good grinding of salt & black pepper
  • 6 slices wholemeal bread
Instructions
1. Whizz up your bread until you have fine breadcrumbs and set aside.2. Mash together all of the other ingredients, apart from the water.3. Fold the breadcrumbs into your mixture. If it is a little dry or not coming together, then add the suggested water and a little more if you think it needs it.4. Roll the mixture into balls and pop into the fridge until you are ready to cook them.5. To cook them, either bake in the oven or fry in a little oil. I baked them in a preheated oven (220 c/200 c fan/425 f/gas 7) for 25 - 30 minutes.6. Serve with a simple tomato sauce and freshly cooked spaghetti, then top with parmesan (veggie or vegan).7. Enjoy!
Details
Total time:
Yield: Serves 4-6


My beanballs are being discussed on twitter. Here is a sneaky peek!



 


Don't they look good? I love all the added courgette. I wonder if her hubby noticed the difference? I will let you know if I find out!


Thanks Jen!

Jen blogs over at Blue Kitchen Bakes, if you haven't met her before.


22 comments

  1. What a great idea. I remember the song too!

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    1. Fun times Lisa. I just sang it to Cooper just now, he joined in with the sneezing and then was in fits of giggles. Oh course I sing it with a funny accent.

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  2. Life without spaghetti and "meat"balls is unimaginable so these are definitely an excellent option.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Val, they aren't as big here in the UK, but i'm glad I figured out how to make them.

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  3. I love the look of these. I've never made beanballs before but I used to make kidney bean burgers a long time ago.

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    Replies
    1. You are a step ahead then Corina, you should try them :)

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  4. Thanks for the recipe Jac, I think I might give these a go tonight. We've been eating a lot of meat lately and I'm trying to be a bit healthier this week by cooking more vegetarian food and these beanballs sound like a great alternative to meatballs.

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    Replies
    1. I do hope you give them a try and enjoy them Jen.

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  5. I love that song - it has made me quite happy singing it whenever I make any sort of veg meatballs to serve with spaghetti - love your beanballs and glad to see the nutritional yeast in them - am sure it would go well here

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    Replies
    1. It's a great song. Thanks so much for the nutritional yeast Johanna :)

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  6. they look AMAZING... i've always thought about veggie meatballs but was never sure which way to go, this is a great recipe, thanks for sharing x

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  7. They sound delicious, enough to temp an omnivore like me ;-)

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  8. What a great idea! They sound lovely. I think this could be a winner for my kids! Thanks :)

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  9. Ooh Jacqueline these sound totally scrummy and I love that there's peanut butter in them, I take it that nutritional yeast isn't Marmite!

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    Replies
    1. No, not marmite, although you could add that for a nice bit of flavour. It is a flaky/powdery product that is a bit cheesy in flavour and suitable for vegans.

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  10. They look great. I've never fancied meatballs but beanballs sound pretty cool.

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    Replies
    1. They are really good, I do hope you try them Caroline :)

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I love reading comments, so thank you for taking the time to leave one. Unfortunately, I'm bombarded with spam, so I've turned on comment moderation. I'll publish your comments as soon as I can and respond to them. Don't panic, they will disappear when you hit publish. Jac x