Hearty Plant-Based Veggie Loaf
This delectable Hearty Plant-Based Veggie Loaf is a wholesome and satisfying dish inspired by Alex Jamieson's healthy recipes. A perfect fusion of cooked brown rice, lentils, vibrant vegetables, and savory herbs come together to create a beautifully textured loaf that is not only nourishing but bursting with flavor. While it has the comforting feel of traditional meatloaf, this vegan version is lighter and packed with plant proteins. Its tender nature means that it may crumble a bit, so take your time with slicing. After allowing it to cool for about 15 minutes, serve it with your favorite dipping sauces or alongside fresh salads for a complete meal. Enjoy this loaf as a filling main course for family dinners or as meal prep for the week ahead!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cooked brown rice
1 cup (Cooked)
Cooked lentils
1 cup (Cooked (mash half for better binding))
Instant oats
1 cup (Uncooked)
Finely chopped mushrooms
1 cup (Finely chopped)
Yellow onion
1 medium (Finely chopped)
Carrot
1 medium (Grated)
Red bell pepper
1/2 (Chopped)
Finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup (Finely chopped)
Tomato paste
1/4 cup (N/A)
Olives
1/4 cup (Pitted and chopped fine)
Fresh parsley
3 tablespoons (Finely chopped)
Braggs liquid aminos or soy sauce
2 tablespoons (N/A)
Mustard
2 tablespoons (N/A)
Dried thyme
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Dried marjoram
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Dried sage
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked brown rice, cooked lentils (mash half of the lentils for better binding), instant oats, finely chopped mushrooms, onion, grated carrot, chopped red bell pepper, finely chopped walnuts, tomato paste, chopped olives, fresh parsley, soy sauce, mustard, thyme, marjoram, and sage. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3
Lightly oil an 8-inch x 4-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
4
Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan, pressing down firmly to eliminate any air pockets and create a cohesive structure.
5
Cover the loaf pan with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 20 minutes until the loaf is lightly browned on top. Check at the 10-minute mark to ensure it does not over-bake.
6
Once done, remove from the oven and allow it to cool at room temperature for about 15 minutes before slicing. Use a serrated knife for clean cuts, as the loaf is delicate.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hearty Plant-Based Veggie Loaf?
It is a wholesome and satisfying dish made from brown rice, lentils, vegetables, and savory herbs, inspired by Alex Jamieson's healthy recipes.
Is this recipe vegan?
Yes, the recipe is entirely plant-based and vegan-friendly.
What are the primary binding ingredients in the loaf?
The loaf uses cooked lentils (with half of them mashed) and instant oats to help bind the ingredients together.
What size loaf pan should I use?
You should use an 8-inch x 4-inch loaf pan.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How do I prevent the loaf from sticking to the pan?
Lightly oil the loaf pan before transferring the mixture into it.
How should the lentils be prepared for this recipe?
The lentils should be cooked, and you should mash approximately half of them to ensure better binding.
What kind of rice is used in the veggie loaf?
The recipe calls for one cup of cooked brown rice.
Does the recipe include nuts?
Yes, it includes 1/2 cup of finely chopped walnuts.
What vegetables are needed for the loaf?
The recipe requires mushrooms, yellow onion, carrot, and red bell pepper.
How should the mushrooms be prepared?
One cup of mushrooms should be finely chopped.
What herbs provide the savory flavor?
The savory profile comes from fresh parsley, dried thyme, dried marjoram, and dried sage.
Can I substitute the soy sauce?
Yes, you can use Braggs liquid aminos as an alternative to soy sauce.
What is the total baking time?
The loaf bakes for a total of 60 minutes: 40 minutes covered and 20 minutes uncovered.
Why is the loaf covered with foil during baking?
Covering the loaf for the first 40 minutes helps it cook through without drying out before finishing it uncovered to brown the top.
How do I avoid air pockets in the loaf?
When transferring the mixture to the pan, press down firmly to create a cohesive structure and eliminate air gaps.
How long should the loaf cool before slicing?
Allow the loaf to cool at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
What is the best way to slice the veggie loaf?
Use a serrated knife for clean cuts since the loaf has a delicate texture and may crumble.
What are some recommended serving suggestions?
Serve the loaf with your favorite dipping sauces or alongside fresh salads.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is excellent for meal prep for the week ahead or as a filling main course for family dinners.
What type of oats are used in the recipe?
The recipe uses one cup of uncooked instant oats.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 16 total ingredients used in this veggie loaf.
Are there olives in this loaf?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/4 cup of pitted and finely chopped olives.
What is the role of tomato paste in the recipe?
Tomato paste adds savory depth and helps contribute to the texture and moisture of the loaf.
How much mustard is included?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of mustard.
How should the carrots be prepared?
The carrots should be grated before being added to the mixture.
What should I check at the 10-minute mark of the final baking phase?
Check the loaf to ensure it does not over-bake while it is browning on top.
Does the recipe use fresh or dried herbs?
It uses a combination of fresh parsley and dried thyme, marjoram, and sage.
What are the main categories for this dish?
This dish is categorized as a vegan meat alternative, healthy dinner, and plant-based loaf.
How many walnuts are used?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of finely chopped walnuts.