Italian-Style Bean Balls

The beans give the balls a soft, satisfying texture, while onion, oregano and Parmesan-style seasonings give them that familiar Italian flavour. Bake them in the oven and serve them with homemade tomato sauce, pasta, or crusty bread.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked beans, drained and rinsed

• 2 eggs

• ½ small onion, finely diced

• 1–2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• ½–¾ cup breadcrumbs, as needed

• 1–2 tablespoons olive oil, plus a little extra for brushing or drizzling

• Optional: ¼ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino

• Optional: chopped fresh parsley or basil
  
  

Instructions

1. Mash the beans.
Place the drained beans in a large bowl and mash them well with a fork or potato masher. You don't need to make them completely smooth—a little texture is good.

2. Add the seasonings.
Add the onion, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. If you're using Parmesan, Pecorino or fresh herbs, add those now as well.

3. Add the eggs.
Beat the eggs lightly, then mix them into the bean mixture until everything is well combined.

4. Add the breadcrumbs.
Start with about ½ cup of breadcrumbs and mix. Add more, a little at a time, until the mixture is firm enough to roll into balls without falling apart.

The mixture shouldn't be dry, though. Add a tablespoon or two of olive oil if necessary to keep the bean balls moist and tender.

5. Shape the bean balls.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly coat it with olive oil.

Roll the mixture into balls roughly the size of traditional meatballs and arrange them on the baking sheet.

6. Bake.
Drizzle or lightly brush the tops with olive oil. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, turning them once halfway through if you'd like them browned more evenly.

7. Serve.
Serve warm with homemade tomato sauce spooned over the top. They're also delicious with pasta, tucked into a sandwich, or served alongside a salad.

A Few Tips

If your mixture feels too wet to shape, add more breadcrumbs. If it feels crumbly or dry, add a little olive oil.

You can also make the bean balls ahead of time, refrigerate them, and bake them when you're ready to eat.

And, of course, they're especially good with the fresh tomato and passata sauce below.