Vegan spaghetti and meatball soup forever!
It may still be hot in Florida, but I’m thinking about all the soups I’m going to make for soup season! This vegan spaghetti and meatball soup should be on everyone’s list! Baked tempeh and white bean Italian meatballs, a very simple, very delicious tomato basil broth, and spaghetti! One of the best things about this soup, is that the spaghetti is cooked right in the broth. Saving time and making the pasta even more flavorful!
The meatballs are so easy and come together very fast. Then they bake while you make the soup. The incredibly tasty meatballs are then added to the soup and it’s all so comforting. I wanted to make sure that I made the perfect textured meatball so that they are moist, but don’t get soggy when put in the soup. I think I nailed it!
Another thing I love about this recipe is the simplicity of the ingredients. Nothing crazy, just easy to find basic ingredients! It’s cheap to make and it will feed a crowd. This is also a great kid-friendly meal. My daughter loves it!
I do definitely recommend using a food processor for the meatballs. It seems to be the best way to make them the perfect texture and bind them well. They are my favorite vegan meatballs and the flavorings can be customized to make all kinds of different meatballs using the basic measurements of the base for them!
I’m incredibly obsessed with this vegan spaghetti and meatball soup, and there is very little doubt in my mind that you will feel the exact same way. I’m so here for soup season, and this one is particularly amazing!
Vegan Spaghetti and Meatball Soup
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 8 oz. Tempeh
- 1/2 Cup Cannellini Beans, drained
- 2 Tablespoons Flax meal
- 3 Tablespoons Water
- 2 teaspoons Olive oil
- 1/2 Cup Panko bread crumbs, vegan(regular or gluten free)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Basil
- 1/4 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Salt
For the Soup
- 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
- 6 Cloves Garlic, chopped
- 1/2 a Yellow onion, diced
- 6 Cups Vegetable broth
- 1 Can(28oz.) Crushed tomatoes
- 1 Tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 8 oz. Spaghetti, regular or gluten free
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the tempeh in the basket of a steamer, add about an inch of water to the bottom, cover and steam for 15 minutes. If you don't have a steamer, you can simmer the tempeh in a small amount of water for 15 minutes on low.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Let the tempeh cool for a few minutes, then crumble it and add it to a food processor. Then add the beans to the food processor and pulse a few times to start to combine. Set aside.
- Then, in a small bowl, whisk together the flax meal and the water. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes until it has thickened.
- Add the flax/water, the olive oil, the panko, garlic powder, basil, red pepper and salt to the food processor as well.
- Pulse the food processor, scraping down the sides as needed until the mixture comes together. You should be able to squeeze the mixture in your hand and it will stick together.
- Now, take about 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture at a time and squeeze in your hand, and then roll into a ball. Repeat will all the mixture. You should get 14-16 meatballs.
- Place them on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Then spray the tops of the balls with more non-stick spray. Bake for 10 minutes, flip the meatballs, then bake 5-10 more minutes or until they are brown and firm.
- In the meantime, make the soup. Heat the olive oil on medium high in a large soup pot.
- Then add the garlic and onions. Saute, reducing heat as needed for about 5 minutes or until the onion is translucent. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Add the vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, basil and oregano. Season with a few pinches of salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium low and add the spaghetti. Simmer until the spaghetti is cooked through, stirring frequently. Check package for directions, but it may take a few more minutes since you are simmering not boiling.
- Once the meatballs and spaghetti are cooked, taste the soup and adjust the seasonings. You may need more salt or pepper.
- Add the meatballs to the soup, toss to combine and serve immediately with fresh basil and vegan Parmesan if desired. You want to serve right away. Once the soup sits for a few hours, the spaghetti will absorb the liquid.
Nutrition
I’m a sucker for meatballs! Can I use chia seed instead of flax meal- it’s just a binder right?
Yup, that should work. Yes, it’s just used as the binder!
Can I just leave the oil out of the entire dish??
Yes, I think the recipe would still work out fine!
This sounds yummy! Would I be able to leave the olive oil out of the meatballs? Or would that mess up the consistency? Thank you!
I have made them without the oil before, they are slightly drier, but still so delicious!
Thank you! Really enjoying your recipes!
Looks amazing! i’d thought of lasagna soup but not spaghetti and meatballs – so smart!
I made the soup tonight, and it is amazing! I had pre-made vegan meatballs I used instead, but the rest of it was great! We will be having this again, and next time I will be making the meatballs. My husband loved it, too. Thank you for this great recipe.
This looks delicious! I don’t have cannellini beans. Can I use chickpeas instead?
Yum. I used Traders Joes meatballs.
Really, really good! Super comforting!