Italian Tofu Meatballs

Rating: 4.71 stars
7 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 5
  • 4 star values: 2
  • 3 star values: 0
  • 2 star values: 0
  • 1 star values: 0

They're the same as Italian meatballs but with tofu. I had to go through many recipes and cobble pieces together to get something that tasted normal. Olive oil helps them crisp up in the oven. I ate these with basic marinara and they were delicious.

By orb205
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Ingredients

4
Original recipe yields 4 servings
The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

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  • Place tofu onto a plate and place another plate on top. Set a 3- to 5-pound weight on top. Press tofu for 15 minutes to drain excess water. Break tofu into small pieces and squeeze again to remove as much water as possible.

  • Place tofu in a large bowl. Add onion, egg, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, basil, marjoram, rosemary, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, hot sauce, and garlic; mix well with your hands until thoroughly combined.

  • Drizzle some olive oil on the lined baking sheet. Form tablespoonfuls of tofu mixture into balls and arrange in rows on the baking sheet. Drizzle remaining olive oil over meatballs.

  • Bake in the preheated oven until browned and firm to the touch, 25 to 30 minutes.

Cook's Notes:

The ratio of Italian herbs should be equal to each other and everything should be chopped very small so it mixes together better. Use dried herbs if you prefer.

Substitute soy sauce for the Worcestershire sauce if desired.

The hot sauce can be any brand you like (Frank's Red Hot(R), Tabasco(R), or Cholula(R)).

Substitute garlic powder for the fresh garlic if desired.

Partner Tip

Reynolds® Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up easier.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
338 calories; 23.2 g total fat; 55 mg cholesterol; 917 mg sodium. 19 g carbohydrates; 15.9 g protein; Full Nutrition

Reviews (5)

Read More Reviews

Most helpful positive review

CJCooks
Rating: 5 stars
01/14/2019
So I hit done too soon! My biggest changes were to speed up the process to get under my 45 minute mark. First - I pull the tofu out of the fridge open and drain. I squeeze out the water real quick then wrap in a tea towel and really pat it down. Then turn it out into a large mixing bowl. Then - I mash it using a wire potato masher just enough that it resembles cooked ground beef. Lastly I press my tea towel down on it stir the tofu and do it again? And again and again. Whole process takes 5 minutes. Another speedy tip is to use dried herbs (a rounded 1/4 tsp a piece). I then used my #50 portion scoop (1 1/2 Tbsp) to quickly make 30 meatballs (I rolled them in my palms before setting them on foil-lined baking tray). Lastly I saved time by zapping each meatball with canola oil cooking spray. My last comment was that since I used whole-wheat Panko I added an extra egg. I have been trying to find a decent meat-free meatball recipe for years and this was finally it! After I popped them in the oven for 25 minutes I made spaghetti heated some sauce and steamed some broccoli. Dinner in 45;). Can t wait to make meatball sandwiches with the leftovers Read More
Helpful
(4)
7 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 5
  • 4 star values: 2
  • 3 star values: 0
  • 2 star values: 0
  • 1 star values: 0
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
CJCooks
Rating: 5 stars
01/14/2019
So I hit done too soon! My biggest changes were to speed up the process to get under my 45 minute mark. First - I pull the tofu out of the fridge open and drain. I squeeze out the water real quick then wrap in a tea towel and really pat it down. Then turn it out into a large mixing bowl. Then - I mash it using a wire potato masher just enough that it resembles cooked ground beef. Lastly I press my tea towel down on it stir the tofu and do it again? And again and again. Whole process takes 5 minutes. Another speedy tip is to use dried herbs (a rounded 1/4 tsp a piece). I then used my #50 portion scoop (1 1/2 Tbsp) to quickly make 30 meatballs (I rolled them in my palms before setting them on foil-lined baking tray). Lastly I saved time by zapping each meatball with canola oil cooking spray. My last comment was that since I used whole-wheat Panko I added an extra egg. I have been trying to find a decent meat-free meatball recipe for years and this was finally it! After I popped them in the oven for 25 minutes I made spaghetti heated some sauce and steamed some broccoli. Dinner in 45;). Can t wait to make meatball sandwiches with the leftovers Read More
Helpful
(4)
CJCooks
Rating: 5 stars
01/14/2019
So I hit done too soon! My biggest changes were to speed up the process to get under my 45 minute mark. First - I pull the tofu out of the fridge open and drain. I squeeze out the water real quick then wrap in a tea towel and really pat it down. Then turn it out into a large mixing bowl. Then - I mash it using a wire potato masher just enough that it resembles cooked ground beef. Lastly I press my tea towel down on it stir the tofu and do it again? And again and again. Whole process takes 5 minutes. Another speedy tip is to use dried herbs (a rounded 1/4 tsp a piece). I then used my #50 portion scoop (1 1/2 Tbsp) to quickly make 30 meatballs (I rolled them in my palms before setting them on foil-lined baking tray). Lastly I saved time by zapping each meatball with canola oil cooking spray. My last comment was that since I used whole-wheat Panko I added an extra egg. I have been trying to find a decent meat-free meatball recipe for years and this was finally it! After I popped them in the oven for 25 minutes I made spaghetti heated some sauce and steamed some broccoli. Dinner in 45;). Can t wait to make meatball sandwiches with the leftovers Read More
Helpful
(4)
StinkySweet
Rating: 5 stars
02/27/2018
so good! I didn't have any parmesan so I used mozzarella. Read More
Helpful
(2)
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Krista
Rating: 5 stars
11/12/2018
These are so tasty! Next time I make them I'll do a double batch. I freeze them after baking then just pull them out as I want them. Read More
Helpful
(2)
Sandy
Rating: 5 stars
07/15/2018
This is an awesome tofu recipe. For those afraid of tofu I recommend recipes where the tofu is mixed with flavorful ingredients. I've tried cooking tofu sliced and diced. I don't like it. Tofu has no flavor and will take on the favor of the ingredients. That's why this recipe is perfect for tofu. The only thing I would do different for me personally is cut the red pepper flakes and hot sauce in half. If you like spicy food don't change a thing you will love it as is. I cooked mine and added tomato sauce before refrigerating. This made them too mushy. I would cook them as directed and use tomato sauce as a dip. Read More
Helpful
(2)
george klingbeil
Rating: 5 stars
12/06/2018
Worstershire Sauce contains anchovies. You might as well use beef and pork. Read More
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