Whole Wheat Spaghetti and Bean Balls

I usually start my sauce, then make the bean balls and after I put them in the oven, I start water boiling for my noodles.

Marinara Sauce

1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes, stewed or any other kind
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, or 1 TBS dried
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt (optional, canned tomatoes are pretty salty!)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 TBS olive oil
1/3 cup finely diced onion
1/2 - 1 cup diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup white wine or veggie broth

1. In a food processor or blender place tomatoes and tomato paste. Blend until smooth.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat saute the finely chopped onion and diced green bell pepper for several minutes.

4. Add salt, pepper, oregano, garlic, and parsley and saute for a minute or two more.

5. Add the white wine or veggie broth and scrape off all the little bits into the pan and let it cook down.

6. Add the blended tomatoes and paste and simmer covered for 30 minutes or more, stirring occasionally.

Bean Balls

1 20 oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained (~3 cups)
2 TBS soy sauce
2 TBS steak sauce or tomato paste
1 TBS olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp grated lemon zest (optional)
1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
2 TBS whole wheat flour
2 TBS wheat gluten
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried thyme

Preheat oven to 375F.

Mash the kidney beans in a mixing bowl until no whole beans are left, using a potato masher, a fork or your own hands.

Add all the other ingredients and mix everything together with your hands for a minute until everything is combined well and comes together.

Form small balls, about 20-25 and put on an olive oil greased baking sheet (I put a silpat on mine). You can drizzle them with olive oil at this point if you're feeling decadent.

Bake for 15 minutes until lightly browned on the bottom, then flip and bake another 10 minutes. Pull them out of the oven and pour 1/2 cup of marinara sauce over them, flipping them around to coat. Bake for 5 more minutes.