Lighten up your weeknight menu with black bean meatballs with marinara sauce

If You're Craving Meatballs but Want to Go Easy on Your Waistline

As holiday gatherings approach, it's easy to get caught up in traditional, meat-laden meals. But if you're looking for a lighter alternative that still packs a protein punch, black bean meatballs with marinara sauce are the way to go.

These bite-sized morsels are made from a blend of black beans and quinoa, along with plenty of garlic, spice, and a tangy Pecorino Romano cheese. The result is a meatball that's just as satisfying as its meat-based counterparts, but with significantly fewer calories and less fat.

You can enjoy these black bean meatballs as a vegetarian main course or as an appetizer, speared on a toothpick to dip into the warm tomato sauce. And the best part? They're incredibly easy to make – simply scoop out spoonfuls of the mixture, form them into balls, and refrigerate until ready to cook.

The sauce is equally straightforward, with just a few simple ingredients that come together in perfect harmony. To cook the meatballs, simply heat some oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add them in batches until browned on both sides.

At about 16 servings per recipe, these black bean meatballs are an excellent addition to your weeknight menu, providing a protein-packed meal without weighing you down.
 
I'm so down for this recipe 🀩! As a busy adult, I need meals that can keep up with me, you know? And let's be real, who doesn't love meatballs? But with the waistline to think about, it's all about finding alternatives like these black bean meatballs. I mean, 16 servings per recipe is perfect for our weekly crew gatherings πŸŽ‰! Quinoa and Pecorino Romano are a match made in heaven πŸ’•. And honestly, cooking them in batches isn't that hard – just toss 'em in the skillet when you're feelin' lazy 😴. The sauce is easy peasy too! I'm def gonna give this recipe a try on our next game night πŸ‘
 
idk why people always gotta make things complicated just cuz its healthier πŸ˜’ i mean like whats wrong with having a lil extra fat anyway? its all about balance right? and have u tried making these black bean meatballs πŸ€”? theyre actually pretty decent! the quinoa adds this nice texture & the pomegranate in the marinara sauce gives it a sweet & tangy vibe that i love!
 
omg i had one of those nights where i was like "i wanna eat something comforting but not too much carbs" and then i stumbled upon this recipe for black bean meatballs 🀩 they were so easy to make and the best part is that you can make a big batch and freeze them for later, perfect for when you need a protein-packed meal in no time!
 
I'm loving this recipe idea 🀩! I mean, who says you can't have your cake and eat it too (or in this case, meatballs and marinara sauce)? It's genius how they've managed to replicate the taste of traditional meatballs using black beans and quinoa. And let's be real, fewer calories and less fat is a total win for our waistlines πŸ€Έβ€β™€οΈ. I'm definitely trying these out at my next gathering with friends – who cares if they're not 'authentic' meatballs? They sound delicious πŸ˜‹!
 
meatballs 🍝 gotta love how people can make 'em lighter and still make 'em super tasty! i mean, who says you need all that fat to get a good protein hit? quinoa and black beans are the perfect combo - so versatile! 🀯

i would draw a simple diagram like this:
```
+---------------+
| Black Beans |
| (Quinoa too)|
+---------------+
|
| Add some
| Pecorino Romano
| Cheese :)
+---------------+
```
anywayz, just think about how great this recipe is for the holidays... easy to make and everyone's happy πŸŽ‰
 
OMG u guys! Meatballs don't have to be all heavy & gross 🀯 I'm lovin' the idea of these black bean ones πŸπŸ‘Œ They're like a veggie party in your mouth and u get the same satisfaction as meaty ones but w/ less calories & fat πŸ₯—πŸ’ͺ Plus they're so easy 2 make lol just form 'em up & chill till ready 2 cook πŸ€ͺ And that sauce tho πŸ…πŸ‘Œ the perfect combo! My only gripe is w/ serving sizes @ 16 servings u gotta bring ur A game if u wanna have more πŸ˜‚
 
I'm so down for this recipe! Like, I've been craving some kind of meatball fix at our holiday gathering next week and this sounds like the perfect solution 🀩. I love that it's made with black beans and quinoa - gotta give a shoutout to all the plant-based fams out there 😊. And can we talk about how easy these are to make? Like, 5-10 minutes of prep time max... perfection! πŸ•’οΈ
 
omg I made these black bean meatballs last night and they were literally life changing 🀩 I've been looking for a healthier alternative to my usual meatball recipes and this one hits the spot! I added some diced bell peppers to the mix too which was a great idea 😊 the quinoa really helps with keeping things light. just a heads up, I didn't have Pecorino Romano cheese on hand so I used parmesan instead and it still turned out amazing πŸ€—
 
I'm low-key obsessed with these black bean meatballs 🀩! I mean, who needs all that extra fat and calories when you can have the same flavor and satisfaction? Plus, they're so easy to whip up - literally just scoop and refrigerate for 30 minutes πŸ•’. The marinara sauce is a total game-changer too πŸ‘Œ. It's like having Italian food without all the guilt πŸ˜‹. I've been making them for my squad and everyone loves 'em! We're talking meatball Mondays, vegan-style 🀝. Definitely adding these to our holiday menu πŸŽ‰.
 
OMG 🀯 just saw the recipe for black bean meatballs 🍴 and I'm totes intrigued! πŸ‘€ Did you know that according to the USDA, 1 cup of cooked quinoa has only 150 calories, whereas 3 oz of beef contains around 200 calories? πŸ“Š This meal is not only delicious but also a nutritional powerhouse! πŸ’ͺ The recipe yields 16 servings at just 150 calories per serving. That's like, super healthy and easy to make too! πŸ€—
 
idk why ppl think veggie food has to be bland lol these black bean meatballs sound so good i'm def adding them to my holiday party menu, and they're like 50% the calories of regular meatballs win! πŸ˜‚ can we also talk about how easy they are to make? just scoop, form, refrigerate, cook... what's not to love? πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ
 
I'm totally stoked about these black bean meatballs 🀩! I mean, who doesn't love the idea of having a tasty, satisfying meal that's also super good for you? I've been experimenting with different recipes and this one is def a winner. The quinoa adds this nice depth to the flavor and texture. And the best part is how easy they are to make - perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. I'm actually thinking of making them for my family gathering next weekend, it'll be so much healthier than the usual meatball extravaganza πŸŽ‰!
 
😊 "You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one." πŸ“š I think this new meatball recipe is a great way for people to still enjoy hearty meals during the holidays without overindulging in calories and fat. It's all about balance, right? πŸ‘Œ
 
I'm kinda surprised by how much I love the idea of veggie meatballs πŸ€”. Like, who says you need meat to make something satisfying? The fact that they're made from black beans and quinoa is actually pretty genius – it's like a protein-packed punch in the face without the guilt 😏. And let's be real, marinara sauce is basically the best thing since sliced bread 🍝. I'm all for trying new things and mixing up my holiday menu. Who knows, might just convert some of my meat-loving friends to the dark side... of veggies, that is πŸ˜‰.
 
I'm not convinced about this whole "plant-based meat" trend πŸ€”. I mean, have you tried making these black bean meatballs from scratch? It's a total time-suck, if you ask me. And what's with the quinoa? Is that really necessary to make them taste like real meatballs? I've had my fair share of veggie meatballs before, and let's be real, they're just not the same as the real deal πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ. Don't get me wrong, it's great that people are trying to eat healthier, but can't we just stick with good old-fashioned beef or pork instead? πŸ˜‚
 
omg 🀀 i'm so obsessed with the idea of having meatball alternatives that aren't totally sacrificing flavor! these black bean meatballs sound like a total game-changer... and let's be real, who doesn't love a good marinara sauce? πŸ˜‹ have any of you tried making them or do you think they'd be a hit in your household? would you rather stick to traditional meatballs or try something new for the holidays? πŸ€”
 
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