Amazing Lentil Meatloaf: Delicious & Hearty Recipe
This Amazing Lentil Meatloaf is a delicious and hearty vegetarian dish packed with nutritious brown lentils, vegetables, and wholesome ingredients. Enhanced with a flavorful glaze made from ketchup, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar, it’s a comforting meal perfect for any occasion. The lentils provide protein and fiber, while oats and flaxseed add texture and moisture, making this meatloaf both satisfying and health-conscious.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegetarian American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatloaf:
- 1 cup Brown Lentils
- 2 cups Water
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 medium Carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1 cup Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp Ground Flaxseed
- 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
- 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 1 tsp Dried Thyme
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup Ketchup
- 2 tbsp Maple Syrup
- 1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
Instructions
- Cook Lentils: In a saucepan, combine brown lentils and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes until tender. Drain any excess liquid.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a loaf pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion, minced garlic, diced carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Prepare Flax Egg: In a small bowl, mix ground flaxseed with water and let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken, serving as a binder for the meatloaf.
- Combine Mixture: In a large bowl, mash the cooked lentils slightly. Add sautéed vegetables, rolled oats, breadcrumbs, flax egg, soy sauce, tomato paste, dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form Loaf: Transfer the lentil mixture into the prepared loaf pan and press down firmly to shape an even loaf.
- Add Glaze: In a separate bowl, whisk together ketchup, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar. Spread this glaze evenly over the top of the lentil loaf.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until the meatloaf is golden brown and set.
- Cool: Allow the lentil meatloaf to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This helps it firm up and makes slicing easier.
Notes
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make it easier to remove the meatloaf from the pan.
- You can substitute rolled oats with gluten-free oats if needed.
- The ground flaxseed mixture acts as an egg replacement, making this recipe vegan-friendly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Adjust the glaze ingredients to your taste if you prefer a sweeter or tangier topping.
Keywords: lentil meatloaf, vegetarian meatloaf, healthy meatloaf, lentil recipes, vegan meatloaf, plant-based dinner, hearty vegetarian meal