HEALTHY LITTLE VITTLES is a food blog created by certified health coach and published author, Gina Fontana, that focuses on gluten-free + vegan + plant-based recipes that anyone can make and everyone will enjoy! Here you'll find simple, flavorful meals, many made in 30 minutes or less. All eaters are welcome!
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This Vegan Gluten-Free Meatloaf takes Meat-free Monday to a whole new delicious level! It’s filled with so many healthy plant-based ingredients, such as lentils, mushrooms, chickpeas, onion, garlic, flax, oats, and seasonings, it’s the best comforting, nourishing dinner everyone will enjoy!
I’ve always been the person who loves meatloaf. I feel like you either love it, or for whatever reason you hate it haha. Meatloaf first started appearing in cookbooks after the invention of the mechanical meat grinder in the 1800’s! So whether you are a meatloaf fan or not, this hardy, comfort food has staying power.
As we have advanced and plant-based is becoming more popular, so is “meatloaf” made solely from plant-based sources. Most often, legumes, oats, and veggies. My Vegan Gluten-Free Meatloaf definitely includes those food items, and although the texture is slightly softer than a traditional meatloaf, it makes a fantastic replacement (and is a heck of a lot healthier for you!).
☆ Lentils. I used canned lentils in this meatloaf recipe to cut down on prep time. They bring a lot of fiber and protein to this meal and taste delicious in place of the meat.
☆ Mushrooms. Add some of that “meaty” texture and a great way to sneak in some shrooms if you’re not a mushroom lover.
☆ Garbanzo beans aka chickpeas. Make sure to smash them well before adding all of the other ingredients. This also allows for the texture to be right while adding some protein and fiber. They are pretty neutral flavored as well, so that it doesn’t taste to “bean-y”.
☆ Onion. Sautéed to sweet perfection before added to the meatloaf for the best savory sweet flavor.
☆ Garlic. Just a touch of garlic for the best flavor.
☆ Gluten-Free quick oats. Helps hold this meatloaf together and brings a great texture with added fiber.
☆ Plant Milk. I used oat milk, but you can use any plant-based milk you like.
☆ Flax Eggs. There are no eggs in this vegan meatloaf, so these flax eggs help hold the loaf together while boosting fiber!
☆ Ketchup. Some people are a gravy and meatloaf lover… I am a ketchup and meatloaf lover, so my version includes ketchup. I try to buy ketchup that is a bit lower in sugar content as you’ll be using quite a bit in this meatloaf recipe as well as using it in the topping.
☆ Italian Seasoning. My go-to seasoning for the perfectly spiced loaf.
My go-to meatloaf topping is made with ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. You could also swap the brown sugar for coconut sugar. You’ll add this to the meatloaf in the last 10 minutes of baking and then serve the extra sauce on the side.
This Vegan Gluten-Free Meatloaf recipe will serve 6 people and is a lot more filing than traditional meatloaf due to its high fiber content. Normally I would have a couple of slices, but I definitely found myself full after just one. This makes great leftovers too! You know me, a HUGE fan of cook once eat twice 🙂
Of course I love to serve meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes… meatloaf and mashed potatoes are just one of those combos you don’t mess with, ya know?! 😉
I’d love to hear what you think of this meat-free meatloaf recipe! Leave a comment below in the comments section, as well as giving it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating so that others can discover this super healthy, plant-based meatloaf! Tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
This Vegan Gluten-Free Meatloaf takes Meat-free Monday to a whole new delicious level! It’s filled with so many healthy plant-based ingredients, such as lentils, mushrooms, chickpeas, onion, garlic, flax, oats, and seasonings, it’s the best comforting, nourishing dinner everyone will enjoy!
Tip: I like to place the loaf pan on a baking sheet after I add the sauce on top in case it drizzles over the edges.
*I used lower sugar ketchup to cut back on the sweetness
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HEALTHY LITTLE VITTLES is a food blog that focuses on gluten-free + vegan + plant-based recipes
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