• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Almond Eater logo

  • Recipes
  • Recipes
    • Recipes by Course
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Snacks
      • Sides
    • Recipes by Diet
      • Vegetarian
      • Dairy Free
      • Gluten Free
      • Vegan
      • Mediterranean Diet
      • Paleo
      • Whole30
  • Meet Erin
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
Home » Dairy Free » Vegan Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs

Vegan Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs

By Erin · April 2, 2015 · Updated May 13, 2020 · 53 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Pin
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
cauliflower meatballs
Dairy Free Vegan Vegetarian

Enjoy a meatless meal with these Vegan Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs. With only 7 ingredients, these are simple to whip up and super delicious, especially when served with your favorite pasta! 

Vegan Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs 61

Oh hey guys—I’m back! Not that I went anywhere, but it was kinda fun to have Jessica take over yesterday. As a Pittsburgher, I think she did an awesome job rounding up delicious brunch places in the city. Another nice thing about yesterday was the weather—it was so beautiful yesterday! Literally not a cloud in the sky. 

As for these cauliflower quinoa meatballs, they’re also nice. Ugh, terrible transition..let’s try that again. 

As for these meatballs, they’re AMAZING and vegan and gluten free and dairy free and very meatball-like considering they contain zero meat. In fact, they’re made from cauliflower and quinoa and are crazy simple to whip up. 

Vegan Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs 2edited

Vegan Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs 26

Vegan Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs 23

Vegan Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs 24

Vegan Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs 3

I was a little too stoked that these turned out the first time around. You know what that means? These are simple. Like, really simple. 

Oh! And this is also my first recipe using cauliflower. I have no idea why I’ve neglected it for so long! Seriously makes no sense. I’m sorry cauliflower—forgive me? 

Vegan Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs 7

Vegan Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs 9

Even though it’s only Thursday, I’m reeeeally looking forward to the weekend (can you blame me?). Saturday I have no plans—NONE—and I’m stoked. It’s actually embarrassing how excited I am. I’m hoping the weather is at least half way decent so Miguel, Layla and I can go on a walk, and I’ll probably do some recipe testing per the usual. Sunday is Easter which means I’ll head over to my grandma’s house for a feast! It’s going to be a good one, though I think I’m getting a little ahead of myself. Let’s focus on these cauliflower quinoa meatballs…non meatballs….veggie balls…whatever you wanna call them.

Vegan Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs 10

Though I make Miguel taste test all of my recipes, I always give myself a gold star/pat myself on the back/both when he approves one of my meatless recipes. His typical response is, “but there’s no meat”….yeah, but did you like them? “oh..yeah yeah I did.” GOOOOD. Men and meat..so strange. I’m not going to tell you that these taste like real meatballs (not.even.close), but they’re an awesome vegan option and full of protein thanks to the quinoa! 

One tip about these…I recommend putting the cauliflower through the food processor first and THEN slowly adding in the quinoa. I tried to throw both in at the same time and it took for-e-ver. Just a suggestion! Also, be sure to reference the “notes” section of the recipe for added tips! Now let’s eat, shall we? Cauliflower quinoa meatballs, for the win!

Vegan Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs

Enjoy a meatballs meal and whip up these Vegan Cauliflower Quinoa Meatballs. With only 7 ingredients, they're kind of a no-brainer!
4.25 from 16 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 20 -24 meatballs
Author: Erin

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cauliflower head
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 3/4 cup gluten free breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp flour preferably all purpose, whole wheat or oat
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Cook quinoa according to instructions on the package (over stovetop with water); at the same time, cook cauliflower in a separate pot over stovetop until soft.
  • Once quinoa is done, set it aside; once cauliflower is done, put it in the food processor, along with the garlic, and pulse for around 10 seconds until cauliflower is mashed.
  • Remove mixture and place in large bowl; stir in the quinoa.
  • Add breadcrumbs, flour, parsley, oregano, and Italian seasoning and stir by hand. Place bowl in refrigerator for 10-15 minutes, allowing mixture to cool off and harden a bit.
  • Using your hands, roll mixture into meatballs--mine are typically golf ball size but feel free to make yours smaller. Rather than just rolling, you will need to use your hands to mash and shape them into balls, as they won't roll all that well since they're made out of quinoa. NOTE: if mixture is too soft/difficult to form into balls, add flour (any kind will work) 1 tbsp at a time, which will help to soak up some of the moisture and firm up the meatballs.
  • Once all of the meatballs are formed, heat a bit of olive oil in a large skillet and place meatballs in skillet. Cook until slightly golden brown on all sides, carefully turning meatballs to cook thoroughly.**
  • Transfer meatballs to a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until meatballs are firm.
  • Remove from oven and enjoy!

Notes

**Turn the meatballs slowly and gently, as they may start to fall apart if you turn them too quickly. They shouldn't though, as long as you're careful.
***If mixture seems to moist and everything doesn't seem to be holding together very well, add an extra tablespoon of flour.
Did you Make this Recipe? Tag me Today!Leave a comment below and tag @thealmondeater on Instagram!

 

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Filed Under: Dairy Free, Dinner, Mediterranean Diet, Vegan, Vegetarian

Erin

About Erin

Erin is the recipe developer, writer and photographer behind the healthy food blog, The Almond Eater. She's been blogging since 2014 and loves to create food for many different diets, including vegan, gluten free and/or Whole30 recipes.

Primary Sidebar

girl in kitchen

Hi, I’m Erin!

I share recipes for ALL diet types because I believe that healthy food should be incredibly delicious without being complicated. Learn more

Seasonal Picks

bowl of soup with pasta

Vegan Tomato Soup

bowl of soup with a spoon

Chorizo Sweet Potato Soup

bowl of soup with a spoon in it

Easy Black Bean Soup

instant pot vegetable soup

Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

Popular Recipes

stir fry in a skillet

Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry

a bowl of pasta with lentils and red sauce

Lentil Bolognese Recipe (Vegan + Gluten Free)

sweet potato brownies

Flourless Sweet Potato Brownies

baked tofu

Crispy Baked Tofu

dog eating cake

Mini Dog Birthday Cake

Caramelized Onion Spaghetti Squash | squash filled with onions, mushrooms and kale for a healthy, vegetarian meal | thealmondeater.com

Caramelized Onion Spaghetti Squash

Download my Mediterranean Diet Guide for free!

And never miss one of my quick+healthy recipes.

As Featured On

Footer

  • Contact
  • Privacy

Copyright© 2021 | The Almond Eater. Site Credit

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter