This vegan meatloaf recipe is easy to make. I made it with rice, veggies and marinara sauce. Its the perfect dinner recipe for any day of the week
This recipe was sponsored by Mezzetta Pasta Sauces. All opinions are my own.
How about a vegan meatloaf for dinner tonight?
I made this using all fresh vegetables, lentils and rice. Then, I topped it with Mezzetta Pasta Sauce.
That is all!
This is an easy and healthy meatloaf recipe that everyone can make for dinner tonight or any night of the week. My favorite ingredient in this recipe has to be the pasta sauce
I have been known to eat pasta sauces out of the jar. There were times when I have finished the jar of pasta sauce in one sitting. No pasta required. The first thing I did when I brought the jar of pasta sauce home was to taste it. I finished about half the jar before I stopped myself.
Having an easy meatloaf recipe with this sauce was important for me because turning popular recipes into vegan versions is always a challenge.
Instead of mashing the ingredients, I decided to keep them whole. The result was that this vegan meatloaf was moist and flavorful. The only difference is that the meatloaf wasn’t as compact as I would have liked it to be but compact meatloaf is overrated.
You can also use Marinara sauce or vegan alfredo sauce in this recipe.
This pasta sauce is so delicious by itself. If you want something quick just add spaghetti to it and you will have a very delicious dinner on your hands with very little effort.
So, are you ready to make meatloaf?
How To Make Vegan Meatloaf Recipe
1) In a medium pan, add 2 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil. Set the heat to medium and let it warm up for 3o seconds then add 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds
2) Add 1/2 cup of shredded carrots
3) Add 1 cup of red peppers cut into cubes
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4) Add 1 cup of cubed zucchini
5) Add 1/2 cup of frozen corn after microwaving it for 30 seconds
6) Add 1/2 tsp of salt
7) Add 1/2 tsp of rosemary, basil and oregano. Mix well and let it sit on the stove at low heat for about 10 minutes. All I want to do is soften the veggies a little and flavor them
8) While that is on the stove, take a large bowl and add 1 cup of spinach. I used frozen spinach which I warmed up for 30 seconds in the microwave
9) Add 2 cups of cooked lentil
10) Add 2 cups of cooked brown rice
11) Add 1/2 of an apple cut into large cubes. I like them large, but, you can keep them small if you like.
12) Add 1/2 cup of Panko bread crumbs
13) Add 3 tbsp of flax seed meal
14) Add 1 cup of Mezzetta’s Napa Valley Home Made Sauce. The pic says 1/2 cup, but, I added it twice. I wanted to make sure that there was just the right amount of sauce.
15) Add the veggie mixture to the mixing bowl and mix everything well. Set aside for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, take a meatloaf pan and line it with parchment paper. Also preheat the oven to 400 degrees
16) Start adding the vegan meatloaf mixture. Add slowly and be sure to compact it as much as possible. I used a meatloaf pan size of 4.4″ x 8.4″ x 2.5″ and made sure that the whole mixture fitted into it.
17) Top the vegan meatloaf with more mezzetta pasta sauce. I used about 2 cups worth of sauce to line the top of the meatloaf.
18) Place it in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until the sides start to char. I placed it in the bottom tray.
19) Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.
20) Pull it out of the pan by holding it from the parchment paper. Lift carefully and then cut it into slices. Cutting it might be a little difficult and it might fall apart a little. That is fine too.
Vegan Meatloaf Using Mezzetta Pasta Sauces
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 cup carrots shredded
- 1 cup red peppers cubed
- 1 cup zucchini cubed
- 1/2 cup corn frozen
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp rosemary dried or fresh
- 1/2 tsp basil dried or fresh
- 1/2 tsp oregano dried or fresh
- 1 cup spinach frozen
- 2 cups lentil cooked
- 2 cups brown rice cooked
- 1/2 green apple cut into large cubes
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 3 tbsp flax seed meal
- 1 cup Pasta Sauce Mezzetta Pasta Suace (to put inside the meatloaf)
- 2 cups Pasta Sauce Mezzetta Pasta Suace (for basting the top of the vegan meatloaf)
Instructions
- In a medium pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil on medium
- Warm up for 30 seconds then add 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds
- Add 1/2 cup of shredded carrots
- Add 1 cup of red peppers cut into cubes
- Add 1 cup of cubed zucchini
- Add 1/2 cup of frozen corn
- Add 1/2 tsp of salt
- Add dried spices and mix well
- Cook for about 10 minutes on medium and stirring constantly
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees
- Add the spinach and cooked lentil to the pan
- Add 2 cups of cooked brown rice
- Add the Apple, Panko bread crumbs and flax seed meal
- Add 1 cup of Mezzetta's Napa Valley Home Made Pasta Sauce.
- Add the veggie mixture to the mixing bowl and mix everything well.
- Set aside for about 10 minutes.
- Take a meatloaf pan and line it with parchment paper.
- Add the vegan meatloaf mixture to the pan, packing it tightly
- Top the vegan meatloaf with more mezzetta pasta sauce
- Place meatloaf pan in oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until the sides start to char
- Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.
- Lift the parchment paper out of the pan
- Cut into thick slices and serve
Vegan meatloaf? Genius!! 🙂
Thank you, Jennifer. I am appreciate the compliments
This looks really good! I cook for my mom–in-law and she eats meat free quite a bit. I could make some for her….save some for us….win, win! 😉
Thank you, Debra. LOVE that you and your Mother-in-law can get use out of it.
Nothing goes to waste, only to waist in my house…..if you know what I mean! 😀
I know what you mean, LOL! Thank you Debra.
You know I am not vegan or even close, but damn girl…this looks soooo good.
Thank you, Michelle. I think you can make this with a little bacon? You would like it.
I’ve never had vegan meatloaf, but if I snap my fingers do you think it might appear before me?? Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you, Ashleigh. Yes, making them is that easy. I can overnight them to you too. 🙂
I don’t usually like meatloaf, but I think this could be an exception. Looks great!
Thank you, Danita. This is a fresh veggies so I think you will like it.
I love everything about his meatloaf recipe. Pinning for later.
Thank you, Sandi. I appreciate the compliments.
I’ve never made a vegan meatloaf, this sounds delicious, the pasta sauce with the roasted garlic sounds really good too!
Thank you, Joy. The pasta sauce was definitely the star of the recipe.
I shared this with my brother who would love this. I am not vegan but this looks out of this world!
Thank you, Reesa. I think you and your brohter will like it.
Seems like a great alternative to those who do not eat meat!
Thank you, Melanie.
What an interesting take on meatloaf! I am kinda loving it!
Thank you, Des.
Anything that has “roasted garlic” in the name is a winner in my book! That sauce sounds yummy!
Thank you, Nicole. Garlic makes everything taste heavenly.
Seriously, who needs the meat when it looks as delicious and appetizing as this? Yum!
Thank you, Manila. Yes, Meat is unnecessary in this recipe. 🙂
What a unique recipe! I am in love with the various Mezzetta sauce options! Thanks for sharing the link.
Thank you, Suzy. I want to try all their sauces.
This is such a clever way to make a meatless meatloaf!
Thank you, Jillian. It is a very delicious meatloaf idea.
What a delicious and comforting meatloaf. So many lovely flavors, that is a great looking plate of food.
Thank you, Janette.
I do love experimenting w/ meatloaf but have never gone for a meatless version. This does look hearty and delicious. So far I’m happy w/ these new Mezzetta sauces and I’m excited to try this flavor!
Thank you, Christine. I know what you mean. The 2 that Mezzetta flavors that I have tried so far are definitely the very good.
This looks delicious love all the ingredients and all the fresh veggies! Perfect recipe, love it!
Thank you, Florian. The fresh veggies made this a very delicious recipe.
what a creative use of pasta sauce, and the “meat” loaf sounds delicous
Thank you, Heather. Meatless is definitely a delicious take on the meat version.
I love Mezzetta brand but it’s been a couple years since I’ve had any of their sauces! I’ll have to remedy that, starting with this awesome recipe! Pinned!
Thank you, Alisa.
yum!! That looks and sounds amazing!!
Thank you, Emily. Glad you like it.