Lentil & Mushroom 'Meatloaf' with Tomato Glaze
A hearty plant-based loaf that captures the soul of traditional meatloaf, with earthy lentils and mushrooms bound by tomato glaze. This vegetarian-inspired vegetarian (vegan, gluten-free) ready in about 70 minutes pairs (cooked) green lentils, (finely chopped) cremini mushrooms, (grated) carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups (cooked) green lentils
- 1 cup (finely chopped) cremini mushrooms
- 1/2 cup (grated) carrot
- 1/2 cup (finely chopped) onion
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 3 tbsp tomato glaze
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a food processor, pulse mushrooms, onion, and carrot until finely chopped, then transfer to a bowl.
- Step 2: Add cooked lentils, tomato paste, breadcrumbs, thyme, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Mix with a fork until well combined and holds together when pressed.
- Step 3: Press mixture firmly into a greased loaf pan (8x4 inches), smoothing the top with a damp spoon.
- Step 4: Bake for 40-45 minutes until firm to the touch and golden brown around the edges.
- Step 5: Remove from oven and brush with tomato glaze. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing to set.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lentil & Mushroom 'Meatloaf' with Tomato Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Lentil & Mushroom 'Meatloaf' with Tomato Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (cooked) green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lentil & Mushroom 'Meatloaf' with Tomato Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Lentil & Mushroom 'Meatloaf' with Tomato Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Lentil & Mushroom 'Meatloaf' with Tomato Glaze vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan, gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
