Meatballs are sooooo passé.  This is ‘Modern Italian-Egyptian Vegan Fusion’ at its finest!  Tell them I said so! 🙂

If you have the time and the inclination, you could make your own falafel balls (and even pasta!) for this recipe, but if you’re like me and like your recipes super quick and easy, you can buy ready-made falafel balls from the supermarket.  I found these in the fridge section (near the tofu) and they were the perfect size – about 2cm.  I’ve used larger ones before and the result is too dry, but these were perfection!

You can make the sauce as gourmet as you like or keep it incredibly simple.  Add whatever you like, and make it in large batches or for one – either way, it’s a fantastically easy meal to throw together.  To make 2 – 3 servings:

  • Spaghetti (I used a gluten-free brand)
  • 1 packet of small falafel balls
  • 1 large jar of crushed tomatoes/passata
  • 1 glass red wine (or water)
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1/2 red chilli, chopped (or 1/2 tsp chilli flakes)
  • 1/2 onion, peeled and chopped
  • 2 large handfuls of mushrooms (any kind; I used shiitake and button)
  • 2 tbsp black olives, drained and chopped
  • 2 tbsp chargilled capsicum slices (from a jar, drained)
  • 2 tsp caramelised onions (from a jar)

  1. Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large fry pan, shallow fry the falafel balls in some coconut oil for a few minutes, and then remove from the pan and set aside.
  3. In the same fry pan, cook the onion, mushrooms and garlic for a few minutes until the juices from the mushrooms simmer off.
  4. Add to the pan the crushed tomatoes, falafel balls and other ingredients, and stir and simmer until the spaghetti is ready.
  5. Cook the spaghetti in the boiling water as per the packet instructions.
  6. Serve the spaghetti topped with the falafel balls and sauce, and garnished with fresh basil leaves and walnut ‘parmesan cheese’ (combine 1/4 cup walnuts, 1/4 cup nutritional yeast and a dash of salt in a blender until a fine powder forms).
  7. Enjoy with a large glass of Italian red wine whilst watching ‘The Bucket List’ pyramid scene, knowing that you have at least brought joy to your taste buds. 😉

“You know, the ancient Egyptians had a beautiful belief about death.  When their souls got to the entrance to heaven, the guards asked two questions.  Their answers determined whether they were able to enter or not.  ‘Have you found joy in your life?’  ‘Has your life brought joy to others?’”

25 Comments on Spaghetti and Falafel Balls

  1. Tammie
    April 16, 2012 at 6:00 pm (13 years ago)

    Where do you get falafel.

    • vegansparkles
      April 17, 2012 at 9:00 am (13 years ago)

      Check the fridge section of your supermarket, Tammie. Next to the tofu. 🙂

      • Tammie
        April 19, 2012 at 5:49 am (13 years ago)

        Thank you.

  2. Ali @ Nourish
    April 16, 2012 at 6:02 pm (13 years ago)

    Yum! I am definitely putting this on the “to make ” list looks delicious!

    • vegansparkles
      April 17, 2012 at 8:59 am (13 years ago)

      And fun for the kids! 🙂

    • vegansparkles
      April 17, 2012 at 9:01 am (13 years ago)

      hehe, thanks! My friend actually inspired the idea and I love it! 🙂

  4. d'liteful cravings
    April 17, 2012 at 9:19 am (13 years ago)

    This is gorgeous, great idea for a substitute! Lets hope the hubby enjoys it too much to realise it’s not meat! 🙂 Will put this one to the test soon!

    • vegansparkles
      April 17, 2012 at 9:45 am (13 years ago)

      hehe, please do and let me know how it goes! 🙂

  6. catlj88
    April 17, 2012 at 11:04 am (13 years ago)

    This is a brilliant idea! YUM!
    And that quote is really lovely 🙂
    I’m going to try this, but might just make the falafel balls. Will let you know how it goes!
    x

    • vegansparkles
      April 17, 2012 at 11:32 am (13 years ago)

      Please do! I think it would be even better with home-made falafel balls, YUM! 🙂 x

      • Tammie
        April 19, 2012 at 5:50 am (13 years ago)

        How do you make them.

      • vegansparkles
        April 19, 2012 at 4:23 pm (13 years ago)

        hehe, I’ll have to leave that one for Cat to answer, because I’ve never made them from scratch. I’ve seen kits you can buy in the supermarket, complete with instructions. Otherwise I bet there are heaps of recipes on the net. If you find a yummy one, let me know! 🙂

  7. Angie C
    April 17, 2012 at 5:39 pm (13 years ago)

    Love the sound of this dish! On my list of things to make!!

    • vegansparkles
      April 18, 2012 at 7:56 pm (13 years ago)

      Yay! Let me know how you go! 🙂

  8. Lisa Nicholson
    April 19, 2012 at 4:56 am (13 years ago)

    Wow! How exciting! My daughter has been begging me to make spaghetti and meatballs for weeks but I have been struggling to find a suitable recipe. These look great – I will be making this week for sure. Thanks xo

    • vegansparkles
      April 19, 2012 at 4:20 pm (13 years ago)

      My pleasure! Let me know how you go! 🙂

  9. anonymous3891
    April 27, 2012 at 10:38 am (13 years ago)

    I’m drooling over just the picture, looks so tasty!

    • vegansparkles
      April 27, 2012 at 12:13 pm (13 years ago)

      It’s delish and you could easily make it without any oil. 🙂

  10. Hamed
    August 6, 2012 at 11:38 pm (12 years ago)

    Hi Rebecca, my brother and I have a Falafel company and we really love your Spaghetti and Falafel ball recipe.

    May we feature your recipe and website, on our website? Please and thank you : ]

    Best,
    Hamed

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      August 7, 2012 at 8:51 am (12 years ago)

      Absolutely, Hamed. I would be honoured. Please link back to my website so your customers can find me, and send me your website details when it’s live. 🙂

    • Hamed
      August 8, 2012 at 4:34 am (12 years ago)

      Thank you very much Rebecca…yes, I will definitely have your website on their and ours is http://www.mohco.org : ] We are in the process of updating it, but I can to share it with you now anyways!!

  11. Hamed
    August 9, 2012 at 5:04 am (12 years ago)

    You’re such a doll…thank you for those kinds words and for offering even more support : ]

    I look forward to staying in touch and hopefully share our product with you one day!!

    Thank you again.