Vegan Meatless Meatloaf

This Vegan Meatless Meatloaf takes meat-free celebration meals to a whole new lip-smacking level! It’s packed with so many healthy vegan ingredients, such as: lentils; mushrooms; chickpeas; onion; garlic; ground flaxseed; oats and seasonings. It’s the best comfort food you can have for a celebration lunch or dinner this Easter.

Prep time: 30 minutes

Serving size: 6–8 people

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 230g / 1 cup – onion, diced
• 230g / 1 cup mushrooms, chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 4 tablespoons water)
• 425.2g / 15oz cooked, drained and rinsed lentils (can be canned)
• 425.2g / 15oz cooked, drained and rinsed chickpeas (can be canned)
• 460g / 2 cups oats (can use gluten free oats)
• 125ml / ½ cup plant milk (such as oat, almond or rice)
• 230ml / 1 cup ketchup
• ½ tablespoon dried mixed herbs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper

Topping

• 170ml / ¾ cup tomato ketchup
• 3 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees, 400 degrees F, gas mark 6.
2. Heat the olive oil in a pan then add the onion, mushrooms, garlic and a pinch of salt. Sauté until the onion turns translucent, which should lake about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, make the flax eggs. In a small bowl, combine the ground flaxseed and water and let it sit until it congeals. This should take  about 5 minutes.
4. While the flax egg is setting up, add the drained and rinsed lentils and chickpeas to a large bowl. Smash them with a fork until no large pieces are left.
5. Add the oats; plant milk of choice (I used almond milk); tomato ketchup; dried mixed herbs; flax eggs; salt and pepper to the bowl. Then add the sauteed onion and mushrooms to the bowl and stir to combine well.
6. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray and then place the mixture into the pan. Bake the loaf in the oven for 30–35 minutes.

While the meatloaf is baking make the topping:

7. Whisk together the tomato ketchup, coconut sugar and apple cider vinegar in a bowl or measuring cup.
8. After the loaf has baked for  30–35 minutes , take it out of the oven and spread a layer of the topping sauce over the entire loaf. Place it back in the oven to bake for another 15 minutes.
9. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool to set up for about 10–15 minutes before serving.

Kirly-Sue (aka Susanne Kirlew) is a vegan Chef, an award-winning published author and TV presenter. Connect with her for more vegan recipes and info on Instagram, YouTube, or by visiting kirlysueskitchen.co.uk