Vegetarian Meatloaf Recipe
Packed with flavor and made with wholesome ingredients like lentils, mushrooms, and oats, this plant-based twist on a classic dish is sure to satisfy both vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. It's easy to make, incredibly tasty, and perfect for a satisfying family meal.
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board.
- Food processor or blender
- Loaf Pan
- Mixing Utensils
- Baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Oven
Ingredients
- 2 cups of cooked lentils
- 1 cup of mushroom
- 1 cup of breadcrumbs
- ½ cup of walnuts or pecans
- 1 onion
- 2 carrots
- 2 cloves of garlic
- ¼ cup of tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ cup of ketchup
Instructions
- You must pre-heat the oven and lightly grease the loaf pan. Pre-heating the oven ensures it’s at the right temperature for meatloaf baking. Also, greasing the loaf pan prevents the mixture from sticking to the pan and helps easily remove the cooked meatloaf.
- Once you have preheated the oven and greased the loaf pan, mix all the necessary ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Combine the cooked lentils, breadcrumbs, grated vegetables, onions, garlic, flaxseed meal, tomato paste, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, nutritional yeast, dried herbs, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl.You must mix well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed. Combining these ingredients well improves the meatloaf’s taste and flavor.
- Once you have mixed the ingredients, transfer the mixture into the greased loaf pan and press it firmly to pack it together. This ensures that the meatloaf holds its shape during baking. Pressing the mixture firmly into the pan helps create a compact and cohesive meatloaf.
- Whisk together the ketchup, maple syrup, and mustard in a small bowl to create the glaze. The glaze adds sweetness and tanginess to the meatloaf.
- Once the glaze is set, apply it to the meatloaf. Doing this adds flavor and creates a caramelized, slightly sticky coating as it bakes.
- Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Alternatively, bake until the top is golden brown and the meatloaf is cooked. Although the baking time may vary, the goal is to bake the meatloaf until it’s firm, cooked through, and nicely browned on top. This ensures that the flavors meld together and the texture is just right.
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a serving platter. This allows the meatloaf to cool slightly. It also makes it easier to slice and handle. Once it has reached a temperature where you can handle the meatloaf, slice and serve.