Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
396 gram (14 oz) of your choice of vegan meat substitute
3/4 cup finely chopped sweet white onion
3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup bread crumbs
3 tbsp. oat milk
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp umami spice (optional, I used Trader Joe’s)
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp fresh cracked pepper
handful fresh dill, finely chopped
For the tomato Salad:
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 tsp sea salt
handful fresh oregano, finely chopped
2 tbsp. olive oil
For the Orzo:
1 1/2 cups dry orzo
For the Whipped Feta:
1 cup vegan feta
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp cracked pepper
Instructions
Prepare your meatballs by adding all your ingredients into a bowl, mix well using your hands and create golf size balls. Should yield around 12-14.
Heat a cast-iron skillet or pan on high and lightly grease with olive oil spray. You want to add your meatballs to the skillet or pan when you see smoke rising. Cook for around 5-6 minutes on each side or until perfectly golden all around. Keep a close eye on the balls to avoid any unnecessary burning.
Prepare the salad by adding all the ingredients into a small bowl and stir till combined. Set aside to marry.
Prepare the orzo by following the package instructions. Once cooked, strain and lightly dust with pepper and olive oil or vegan butter. Stir till coated.
Prepare the whipped feta by adding the ingredients to a high-speed food processor. Process till perfectly whipped and creamy. Place in the fridge to set while you plate everything else.
I put my plate together by first adding the whipped feta, then the orzo, then the meatballs, then some of that fresh gorgeous salad.
Garnish with fresh dill or oregano!
Keywords: best, easy, feta, food, lemon, recipe, sauce, style, tomato, vegan
Hi Maria, already loving this and haven’t even tried it yet! Can i ask what kind of meat substitute you used for the meatballs? Keep up the good work!
I used Lightlife for these hun!
This dish is LIFE! Actually obsessed with the whipped feta, and the orzo, and the meatballs….okay everything. Make this meal!
★★★★★
Thank you so much, lady! It’s such a favourite!
ok, im officially addicted to whipped feta! Thanks so much for this recipe Maria!
★★★★★
You’re so welcome! glad you enjoyed it!
I didn’t have orzo and I made this with rice and it was still so delicious! The meat balls are to die for!
This recipe was a dream! I made extra meat balls and can’t wait to have them again this week!!!
★★★★★
Thank you so much for the support beauty! I just love this recipe so much!
YES, love it! Had to cook the meatballs a little langer but it was totally worth it. Defenitely cooking this again!
★★★★★
Thank you so much for the love, Nina!
Would garbanzo beans work for the meat substitute?
It might! But you would need to process it before combining. I didn’t recipe test it this way but I honestly always encourage people to play around in the kitchen and adapt recipes as they see fit! Let me know how it goes!
I’m do looking forward to making these! Any suggestions if I can’t find vegan feta?
Any other vegan cream style cheese should work!!! (cream cheese, goat etc. lots of brands have options now). If not, refer to my vegan tofu feta recipe and blend that!
Made this today! FANTASTIC. Everything was so flavorful, especially the meatballs. A few fell apart in the skillet (any tips of that?) and I just couldn’t stop picking at them while I waited for the orzo. Lol. My 6-year-old daughter loved everything as well and kept picking at the tomato salad. I didn’t get to make the whipped feta, but am looking forward to making these again soon and having that vegan feta on hand! Thanks, Maria! Looking forward to making many other recipes. 🙂
★★★★★
Hey Jessica! So glad you loved this recipe. What type of meat alternative did you use? When I made these I had no issues with any of them falling apart!
I ended up using Lightlife Smart Ground. I originally bought Beyond Beef crumbles to try that, but my mom had the smart ground on hand. So delish though! Amaze balls!! Lol
Hahahah thanks so much for the love!!!!
Isn’t it just the best, so glad you loved it too!
Delicious mix of flavours and textures! Will definitely make again!
★★★★★
Thank you so much my love!
Such a filling, healthy and all around yummy meal! Thanks for the whipped feta idea, it pairs beautifully with the “meat”balls.
★★★★★
Isn’t it just the best!! So glad you enjoyed it!
What meat alternative did you use? I can’t get mine to stick into a ball shape. I used Quorn.
We used LighLife, it stuck perfectly. Was the torn you used quite sticky as is or was it more of a “meat textured” alternative? The one we use comes in a seal packed tube.
These meatballs are amazing! Definitely adding this recipe to my favorites and will make them again. It is really easy to make in no time. I love adding sauce to everything so I was wondering if these were going to need any addition, but they are SO good, you don’t need anything else!
I just had difficulty getting my balls to stay in a ball while cooking them. They kinda stuck to the pan. Maybe next time I’ll be better at making them!
★★★★★
Thank you so much for the love, Alexia! I love this recipe so much as well!
I’m obsessed with this recipe, I used Beyond Meat for my “meat” and they were perfection! Going to be making this on repeat. Thanks for another bomb ass recipe Maria <3
★★★★★
You’re so welcome, Zandra!!
These meatballs!!! Wow!! By far the best vegan meatballs I have made to date. I used the Impossible Foods ground “meat” and they were so realistic. Cooked up so nicely in the pan and were very hearty and delicious with the oregano. Loved the whole platter, I made it for our quarantined Easter dinner. Another winner from Maria!
★★★★★
Yes, this is amazing, thanks so much for the love, Cassandra. This makes me so happy!
So delicious and flavorful! It will definitely be in one of our go-tos – so you know it’s also quick and easy!
★★★★★
Thank you so mcuh for the love Meghan!
Amazing!! Such a good fresh recipe. Definitely adding it into our rotation of dinners!! Made it last weekend and making it again today. 10/10 (my boyfriend who isn’t vegan LOVED it)
★★★★★
Any suggestions for making this w/o oil?
Oh dear, this is a hard one because I am greek through and through… and you know that means we’re addicted to olive oil… hah. Hmm, maybe try in the feta using water instead, that should help… and then I think that the meatballs can just go without and I would suggest just cooking them with a tiny bit of water on the pan to avoid burning. But with all this being said, I did not test the recipes like this so you may need to modify as you go!
Would it be possible to bake the meatballs? At what temperature and how long? I am excited to try these tomorrow!
Yes! That should work. Try at 350 for 25 to start then access the situation! Might end up needing another 5 minutes.
I LOVE this recipe! I use a lentil, mushroom and walnut mince mix with plant milk soaked breadcrumbs and the seasonings for my meatballs and it works soo well. One of my absolute go-to’s in hotter weather now, I love the Greek flavours so much – thanks Maria! Xx
★★★★★
Thank you so much for your support, hun!!!
This is one of my go-to recipes for vegan meat balls! So so delicious!
★★★★★
Thank you so much, Marcy!
This recipe was not only delicious but easy to make on a crazy Monday night. All items were in the pantry. Love it when it all comes together. Dinner tonight with leftovers tomorrow. Yay! Will definitely make again.
★★★★★
SO GLAD YOU LOVED THIS HUN!!!!
This dish was amazing!
Thank you so much Natia
Tried this tonight and fell in love! Will definitely be returning to this again and again. Thanks so much for sharing xx
★★★★★
Isn’t it the best!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! The whole family loved it, the flavours are going so well together and everyone was amazed by how authentic the “meatballs” tasted. Used regular pasta instead of the orzo as we didn’t have any. Will definitely make it again!
★★★★★
You’re so welcome, hun!! Glad you loved it!