Could this be served over rice or what that be a bit much in the grain department?

I wanted to post for anyone thinking about making this in the future - for me with the quinoa and rice it was too much grain going on (which is really what I was referring to in my original question, not the lentil component). If/when I make this again I would probably leave out the quinoa as I don't really find it adds anything to the meatballs. However they are delicious and super filling! I would definitely recommend making :)

We think rice would be absolutely fine with this dish. I'm Indian, and most often have dahl (made of black, red or yellow lentils) served alongside rice- lentils and rice as a combo is very common in Indian cooking.

Indian lentils are often served with rice or flatbreads, so rice would be fine. Also, a vegetarian combination of legumes and grain gives a more nutritionally complete protein than either alone. Last, the original recipe has no grains, so, no, I don't think adding rice would be too much.

For me personally, it would overload me with starch. I prefer to have legumes or rice, but not both. That's a very personal thing, but legumes and rice are very common in the vegan and vegetarian world.

I don't see what the problem is.

Lentils are mostly vegetable protein. Grains are mostly vegetable carbohydrates.

Here in America, this is a classic combo known as rice & beans.

Many other cultures have similar dishes. The Japanese have natto (fermented soy beans) and rice.

Not a big deal.