Meat(NOT) Loaf, Vegetarian Loaf Just Like Mom Used to Make

Intro: Meat(NOT) Loaf, Vegetarian Loaf Just Like Mom Used to Make

A tasty dish for those "meat and potato" vegetarians such as myself. You know, we grew up on meat and potatoes dishes but no longer eat the meat part of the equation. But sometimes you still long for a comforting plate of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, maybe some corn on the cob. Yum!

Definitely a dish for those who are vegetarian for ethical or religious reasons, this is not the healthiest of health foods. It is one of my (meat eating) husband's favorite dishes I make though! Also, I use eggs in mine but it could be made vegan by using an egg substitute.

STEP 1: Gather Ingredients

Ingredients:
Equivalent of 1 pound ground-style burger alternative, See note below*
1 medium Onion, diced small
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup prepared bread crumbs, plain or Italian seasoned
2 large eggs (or egg substitute)
1-2 tablespoons of water if the mixture is too dry

Tools:
large mixing bowl
spatula or spoon
spoon
loaf pan
oven

*This could be Gardenburger or Boca crumbles, which are available at most supermarkets, or a dehydrated-style crumble like Dixie Diners Club Beef(Not!) or Nutlettes, which are available at health food stores. TVP (textured vegetable protein) is also available in the bulk food section of some grocery stores. If you use the dehydrated variety, rehydrate per instructions.

STEP 2: Preheat Oven and Chop Onion

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (Fahrenheit).

Dice the onion small. I like to use one of those plunger choppers but a knife works nicely too.

STEP 3: Mix All Together

Mix all ingredients but the ketchup together in a bowl. It may seem dry depending on the bread crumbs you've used. If it doesn't stick together, sprinkle with water and mix together until it combines.

STEP 4: Pan and Bake

Smoosh your mixture into a loaf pan. While I don't like silicone bake ware for baked goods, I like them for this application because metal tends to dry the fake meat and create a chewy crust. In real meatloaf, you would enjoy that crispy outer layer, but with a meat(not) loaf, the more moisture throughout, the better.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until the center is set (not smooshy).

STEP 5: Add Ketchup

Remove from oven and add ketchup drizzle on top. Replace in oven and bake 5 minutes longer at 350 degrees. We are finished cooking the meatloaf but this return to the oven will heat the ketchup and turn it the consistency of honey.

STEP 6: Yum!

Serve with potatoes, maybe a salad and pie for dessert! Remove apron and call the family to dinner.

Use it up
If there are any leftovers, this makes a great meatloaf sandwich. My favorites are either cold on white bread with more ketchup or a hot open-face on toast with gravy!

Variations on a theme

TexMex Meat(NOT) Loaf
replace seasoned salt with taco seasoning
replace ketchup with salsa

Take-Out Meat(NOT) Loaf
Replace italian breadcrumbs with Panko breadcrumbs
Add 1/2 cup chopped water chestnuts to mixture
Replace ketchup with Sweet and Sour sauce

Pizza Meat(NOT) Loaf
Add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and one green bell pepper (chopped) to the mixture
Replace ketchup with marinara sauce

Comments

[AndrewT37]

Meat eaters and health nuts love to point fingers at how unhealthy vegetarians and vegans can be. Ever consider its about compassion and not health for some people? Regardless, it would be pretty darn difficult for a vegan to be less healthy than your average meat eater eating factory meat everyday.

[grannyjones]

--and the debate continues. As usual, to each his own. Grateful to be an omnivore.

[kaijura]

Sounds DELICIOUS! You're right - there're a lot of us veggies out there who aren't veggie for their health but for other reasons - such as plant haters maybe? I'm always greatful for a new recipe for wonderfully comforting foods like not-meat loaf and anything that goes with potatoes is okay in my book

[a4dable]

Almost every ingredient contaains GMO's (genetically modified organisms) which may be harmful to your health. Monsanto says they are not because they don't want to harm their financial bottom line! Educate yourself, your body will thank you!

[a4dable]

TVP - icludes MSG
Seasoning Salt (natural Flavor) -
MSG
Seasoned bread crumbs - MSG & Gluten
Egg substitute - more chemicals
Catsup on top - High fructose corn syrup
Gardenburger - MSG in the form of natural seasoning

I admire you for choosing not to eat animal products; but, do yourself a favor and eat ORGANIC!

[a4dable]

You won't eat meat but you put all of those artificial flavorings and toxins in your body????????? Maybe you should choose Organic?

[stealthy_ninja_1]

oohhhh this looks sooo good !
when i was a carnavor *shudders* i use to love meat loaf but now
im a vegitarian i cant eat it so im glade i can eat a versian without murdering an inosent animal YAY thanks i think i will try it for lunch today!

[AnarchistAsian]

i am a meat and potatoes kind of guy.

cooked rare.

i promise to never, EVER become a vegitarian...

[Fredrick_chilton]

Take a walk through a mass production beef farm. You might just throw up a little. Hunted and home farmed, or small farmed meats I support, though I don't eat them. If I were to eat an animal, I would definitely make sure it was healthy at the time of death. No Bovine Growth Hormones, Steroids, or Anti-biotics for me.

[AnarchistAsian]

no, i wouldn't throw up a little. I WOULD THROW UP ALL OVER THE PLACE, UNTIL MY EYES BLEED.

look, i hate mass production beef farms as much as the next guy, but it's not really something you can avoid all the time. I eat all-natural meat alot, but not always... I would say a growing boy needs meat, but i know you can get protein other ways....

[Fredrick_chilton]

Well thank you for actually being informed then! I live in Michigan. Lots of contact with northerners, hicks, and dairy farmers. The majority of which are pretty ignorant. Most cook their burgers to char bricks, and their steaks to hot dry lumps of gray. I don't strive to eliminate meat in everyone's diet. I just try to educate others that the mass production stuff is disgusting by taste, ethics, and morality. A cow that cannot stand is diseased, and not fit for human consumption.

[AnarchistAsian]

woah... woah... i'm from utah, that's north-ish, alot of those people you talked about may be well informed, and be more natural. Some people just want to make money, others want to do the right thing... And also, if you think about it, it's better for the animal to be eaten than the meat be wasted... Bad sales would cause a decrease in production, but... i don't know, i just eat meat....

[bettbee]

Actually some of us think that it's better for the animal to be given a respectful burial as people are. And for no new animals to be bred just to be killed.

[amar55in]

Quite true, animals have emotions and feel pain too, they too love their children, love to live and fear death.They have every right to live.Think what would you have done if you were in the animals place, they deserve mercy, protein are found in soybeans too. Please say no to meat eating.

[jsharpe3]

and a little plus for the vegetarians...world hunger and world poor health could be solved by everyone growing food.

[deathsmileyinc]

im from holland and i hang out with anarchists all the time, most of them are vegans, party's and concerts in squatted buildings rarely serve non vegan food, ie been to a anarchist festival where they didn't serve meat. plus a lot of vegans are anarchists (or at least from the left wing) i don't think you will fit in.

[SanAntonioSweety]

I dont like your comment, it is elitist & it implies that anyone who is different is not fit. I believe your opinion is no more valubale than my own & vice versa. Many of us nowadays are taught to respect those that are different from us. You & I are different, I respect you but I completely think your comment is full of judgment.

[deathsmileyinc]

what do you mean? i just think he would fit in a anarchist community when he eats meat and claims to be informed:"it's better for the animal to be eaten than the meat be wasted" when he clearly doenst know anything, animals are bred in way to small cages, they get unhealthy food and antibiotics all the time. animals get to eat stuff people in 3e world countries would eat. its a huge waste to eat animals.
i could go on for days dicussing this but i feel like you are a person who's just too afraid to admit he doesnt respect me.

[bettbee]

A growing boy does not need meat! And neither does a full-grown one. Just ask Olympiad Carl Lewis or any of a number of other world-class vegan and vegetarian athletes! That being said, while I wish you didn't eat meat, I recognize that it is your right to do so. I'm glad you eat the more local organic product as much as you can. If you will go see "Food, Inc." you may wish to go veg on those occasions when you can't find the local organic product. Did you know that soy and eggs are both as high quality proteins as meat? (In their whole food form, that is.)

[AnarchistAsian]

yeah i know, that's why i said i would say a growing boy would need meat