Really Good Vegetarian Meatloaf (Really!)

Submitted by SaraFish

"High in fiber and protein, low in fat, easy and really yummy! I've always thought meatloaf looks and smells so delicious and savory so, as a vegetarian, I decided to make a no-meat version! This is basically our favorite meatloaf recipe but with cooked mashed lentils instead of ground meat. The result is a very tasty dinner!"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 25mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup lentils
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 3⁄4 3/4 cup monterey jack cheese or 3/4 cup American cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 4 1⁄2 ounces spaghetti sauce or 4 1/2 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1⁄2 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper

directions

1. Add salt to water and boil in a saucepan.
2. Add lentils and simmer covered 25-30 minutes, until lentils are soft and most of water is evaporated.
3. Remove from fire.
4. Drain and partially mash lentils.
5. Scrape into mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly.
6. Stir in onion, oats and cheese until mixed.
7. Add egg, tomato sauce, garlic, basil, parsley, seasoning salt and pepper.
8. Mix well.
9. Spoon into loaf pan that has been generously sprayed with Pam (non-stick cooking spray) or well-greased.
10. Smooth top with back of spoon.
11. Bake at 350 degrees for 30- 45 minutes until top of loaf is dry, firm and golden brown.
12. Cool in pan on rack for about 10 minutes.
13. Run a sharp knife around edges of pan then turn out loaf onto serving platter.

Reviews

[Bryuncooked]

I have made this about 5 times now. Every time it's happily eaten by vegetarians and carnivores alike. When I mash the lentils I use my blender and add water to get a mashed potato like consistency. I think this is why it turns out a little more moist. It also helps to put some sauce over the top when you have about twenty minutes left in cooking it. Thank you for the recipe. <br/>Update: Since writing this review I have tried the following things and they have turned out great.<br/>1.) I've occasionally added another egg, although I felt guilty about the extra fat. <br/>2.) I've added chopped celery,carrots, mushrooms as suggested by other reviewers. <br/>3.) In addition, and sometimes in place of the cheddar cheese , I added Parmesan cheese. <br/>4.) Per suggestion of my girlfriend, I use a hand mixer instead of the blender now. She said she preferred some lentils still in tact for texture. I usually cook the lentils until they are very easy to smash, so that the mixer can handle the load.<br/>I just thought I'd share how versatile and forgiving this recipe is.

 

[keellii]

The basic recipe is great. I added celery, red onion and mixed BBQ sauce with the tomato sauce to make it even better. I know sell it in my store.

 

[magentakitteh]

very good recipe! I mash lentils in food processor and add an extra egg to keep loaf sticking together. i find the extra egg increased the moisture as well. my husband loves though not a vegetarian. have made it twice already :)

 

[The Frugal Greek]

This is fantastic! I had to add a LOT more water (4 cups total) to get thing to come out right, but I'm using brown lentils (lots more fiber) and old fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats, so that may be the reason. I made some substitutions (like most other folks): I went vegan, replacing the eggs with milled flax seed & water and omitting the cheese, swapped 2/3rds cup ketchup for the spaghetti sauce, a small dash of extra virgin olive oil to help retain moisture in the fridge, and used "Italian Seasoning Mix" instead of just dried oregano (this was all on my second batch). Meatloaf is one thing I've hesitated to make since going vegetarian because I love "real" meatloaf so much, but this is better than any "real" meatloaf I've had (don't tell Mama!). This recipe would also probably hold up good enough to make meatballs or even crumbled "beef" replacement for other things ... probably wouldn't hold up too well in chili unless you add it just before serving, but would probably work for other things like no-meat Hamburger Helper. I'll try it out in those other areas ... if it works, that would be great, a much more reasonably priced beef alternative than the pre-packaged stuff.

 

[Teaguetiffany]

Delicious!! I used Amy's lentil soup in place of lentils which cut the prep time down by half. I used a muffin pan and topped each mini loaf with a mixture of ketchup, honey and brown sugar during the last ten minutes of baking. This is by far the best veggie loaf I've ever eaten!