Description
The Ultimate Vegetable Lentil Loaf is a hearty, vegan-friendly dish made with cooked lentils, sautéed vegetables, and wholesome seasonings. It’s a comforting, flavorful, and protein-rich alternative to traditional meatloaf. This loaf is budget-friendly, easy to customize, and perfect for family dinners or festive gatherings. It also stores and reheats well, making it a great meal prep option.
Ingredients
-
1 cup dried brown or green lentils
-
2 ½ cups water (for cooking lentils)
-
1 tbsp olive oil
-
1 small onion, finely chopped
-
2 garlic cloves, minced
-
1 carrot, grated or finely chopped
-
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
-
1 cup mushrooms, finely chopped
-
1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
-
1 tsp thyme
-
1 tsp smoked paprika
-
½ tsp cumin
-
Salt and pepper to taste
-
½ cup rolled oats or breadcrumbs
-
2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 6 tbsp water (flax egg)
-
2 tbsp tomato paste or ketchup (plus more for topping)
-
Optional: ¼ cup chopped walnuts or sunflower seeds
Instructions
-
Cook the lentils: Rinse lentils. Boil in 2½ cups water for 20–25 minutes. Drain and let cool.
-
Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a pan. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for 5–7 minutes. Add garlic and mushrooms; sauté until soft and golden. Let cool.
-
Make flax egg: In a small bowl, mix flaxseed and water. Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
-
Combine: In a large bowl, mash half of the lentils. Add sautéed vegetables, flax egg, oats or breadcrumbs, spices, soy sauce, tomato paste, and optional nuts/seeds. Mix well.
-
Shape and bake: Line a loaf pan with parchment paper. Press the mixture into the pan. Top with a thin layer of ketchup or tomato paste.
-
Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 40–50 minutes until firm and golden.
-
Cool and serve: Let cool in pan for 10–15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
For gluten-free: use gluten-free oats or almond flour.
For added crunch: add chopped nuts or seeds.
Let the loaf cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.
Tastes even better the next day and reheats well.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan, American-inspired
Keywords: vegetable lentil loaf, vegan meatloaf, plant-based dinner, vegan main dish, lentil recipe, hearty vegan loaf, gluten-free vegan option, lentil bake, vegan comfort food