Olive Garden is one of my favorite restaurants, but it is also one of the most unhealthy. It is convenient Italian food, which can give you a sense of the carb load, but it is most noted for its calorie count and salt lick level sodium. I love their mega portion and tasty sauces (probably from a can) but my vegan, vegetarian, and healthy lifestyle will not let me chow down at Olive Garden as I did in my youth, lol. I have decided to scale back the recipes and substitute in some healthier alternative ingredients so that I can enjoy the Italian fare at home. Starting with the classic dish, Spaghetti and Meatballs.
Vegan Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
Attribution: Whole Foods Market’s Spaghetti and Vegan Meatballs http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/spaghetti-and-vegan-meatballs
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup chopped white mushrooms
1 cup packed baby spinach
1 cup cooked black beans
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 cup bread crumbs
Enough cooked whole wheat spaghetti and low sodium marinara to satisfy your heart
Description:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Sautee the onions and garlic in the olive oil until they are soft and translucent.
Add the mushrooms and baby spinach to the skillet and cover. After about 5 minutes that should be soft and wilted. Remove form heat.
Place the sautéed vegetables, black beans, basil, and oregano to a food processor. Blend until smooth.
Add the breadcrumbs to the food processor and mix until combined.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Use a cookie scooper or tablespoon to portion the black bean mixture into a mini muffin tin or onto a baking pan.
Bake for 30 minutes.
When the meatballs are done, use them to crown your beautiful pile of whole wheat spaghetti and sauce.
Enjoy.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
your recipes suck why are you always trying to vegan fast food why not try making dishes that are whole foods and wholesome and not Vegan junk food
@Malika, Why don’t you stop visiting her page and her website? If you don’t like it, don’t stop by!
Because sometimes you have to win over the omnivores with foods they are familiar with. I am typically a “whole foods” vegan, but sometimes FUN is in order
Always a hater SMH; It’s hilarious. Why don’t you make dishes that are whole foods and wholesome and not Vegan junk food, so that you want take your time out and write foolishness. Move on if you don’t like what she makes. Geezzz you would think you were force to make these recipes. lol
Mean Girls have arrived. Ignore her!
Oh, and these ARE whole foods. Beans, spinach and mushroom? Don’t like the pasta? Then have some quinoa or quinoa pasta
I would have never thought to use a mini muffin pan … brilliant! Looking forward to trying your recipe … love user-friendly simple recipes! Thanks so much Sweetest Vegan
Thank you very much. This really helped me with my work. I appreciate your help. Thanks a lot. http://youtu.be/XO7FhqyNZuo