Aldi Meatless Meatballs
This staple of Aldi’s frozen section is a popular vegan meatball alternative, the Earth Grown Meatless Meatballs. Aldi carries a variety of vegan foods, both meat/dairy alternatives and vegan staples like tofu, beans, grains, vegetables and more.
The meat alternatives like these “meatless meatballs” are frequently temporary items available as Aldi Finds or seasonal items available for a few months at a time.
The Earth Grown Meatless Meatballs are one of the vegan items that is available year round in most stores. Although they may be out of stock at times, especially right now with the supply chain issues, they are typically available year round at Aldi.
My Aldi Vegan Meatballs Review
These vegan meatballs from Aldi are a staple in my freezer, and I am not vegan. I always keep a bag or two around for a quick and easy meal. They may not be the best “meatball” but they taste better than many frozen meatball made with actual meat. I found that they are quick to turn into a great meal and better than the other frozen meatballs I have found at Aldi.
The fresh meatballs that rotate through the fresh meat case are a better meatball but they aren’t always available and aren’t as quick to turn into a meal. Of course these frozen meatless meatballs probably can’t compete with a well made homemade meatball, but that is another category of foods.
If you are vegan, vegetarian, or just want an easy tasty meal these are for you. I like both the Earthgrown Classic and Zesty Italian Meatless Meatball varieties.
As far as I am aware you can only purchase Earth Grown Products (including meatless meatballs) at Aldi. I believe Earth Grown is one of Aldi’s store brands for vegan food so it will not be available at other retailers. You can order through Instacart but again, that is only if you have an Aldi nearby.
Yes! The Earth Grown Organic Meatless Meatballs are vegetarian and vegan.
Easy Earth Grown Meatless Meatball Recipe Ideas
Aldi Vegan (or not) Spaghetti and Meatless Meatballs
This is how I most often eat these meatless balls. You can make a big batch to feed a group or have leftovers for lunch the next day. If you are vegan or avoiding eggs you probably want to check your pasta to confirm it doesn’t contain eggs. Same for the tomato sauce you choose, some may contain meat or dairy.
Ingredients
- Earth Grown Meatless Meatballs (classic or zesty italian)
- Simply Nature Organic Tomato and Basil Sauce (or your favorite sauce)
- Priano Spaghetti (or your favorite pasta)
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Optional toppings: dried oregano, fresh basil, crushed red pepper, cheese (vegan or dairy)
Instructions
- Boil and salt water for pasta (I use Priano bronze cut pasta or Chickpea Pasta )
- Heat a pan over medium heat, add a bit of olive oil and then fresh garlic (chopped, pressed, or paste).
- Cook garlic briefly and then add the Earthgrown meatless meatballs.
- Cook the meatballs in the oil and garlic for a few minutes being careful not to burn the garlic.
- When the garlic is fragrant and just starting to lightly brown add your favorite jar of tomato sauce. I generally buy the Simply Nature Organic Tomato and Basil sauce at Aldi.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and then lower the heat and stir occasionally. You probably want to put a splatter guard or lid over to minimize the mess.
- Add pasta to boiling water and cook to al dente.
- Simmer sauce and meatballs for 10-15 minutes or until the meatballs are heated through
- Drain pasta and add the pasta to the pan with sauce and meatballs
- Optional toppings: cheese or vegan cheese alternative, dried oregano, fresh basil, crushed red pepper
- Make it even easier: You can skip the garlic and even the olive oil if you want to make it even easier. Just cook the Earth Grown meatballs in the oven or microwave or just cook them in your sauce directly. The oil and garlic add a little richness and flavor that jarred sauce can be lacking. Cooking the meatless balls in oil adds a little browning and texture but it will still taste good either way.
Aldi Vegan Meatball Sub Sandwich
This is another easy and satisfying meal with Aldi’s vegan meatballs using three premade ingredients that I usually keep on hand. I usually keep at least one Specially Selected French Baguette in the freezer since it is an easy way to upgrade a meal.
Ingredients
- Earth Grown Meatless Meatballs (classic or zesty italian)
- Simply Nature or Specially Selected Marinara Sauce (or your favorite sauce)
- Specially Selected French Baguette
- Olive Oil
Instructions
- Cook Specially Selected French Baguette according to the directions on the package
- Cook the Meatless Meatballs: I prefer cooking them in a nonstick pan with a bit of olive oil until browned and then adding the tomato sauce to the pan. If you prefer to cook in the oven that is fine, just heat your sauce separately.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and then lower the heat and stir occasionally for a few minutes to thicken the sauce if needed. You probably want to put a splatter guard or lid over to minimize the mess.
- Cut your cooked baguette open lengthwise and spoon the meatless meatballs into the bread with a bit of tomato sauce.
- Optional toppings: cheese or vegan cheese alternative, dried oregano, fresh basil, crushed red pepper
- If you add cheese (vegan or dairy) you may want to pop it back in the oven for a couple minutes to melt the cheese.
Earth Grown Meatless Meatball Reviews
Great Frozen Meatball- Vegan or Not
This is a good meatball even when comparing it to actual frozen meatballs. I am not vegan but choose these over Aldi’s other frozen meatball options most of the time. They are one of my go to quick meals.
