Vegan Meatloaf

Plant based vegan meatloaf made with lentils or tofu can often be mushy and lack the flavor and look of traditional meatloaf. But that is not the case with this delicious vegan meatloaf recipe with chickpeas. Once you try this no meat meatloaf, I guarantee you will absolutely love it!

This flavorful and satisfying vegan meatloaf is sturdy and beautiful. And it’s a perfect meat-free weeknight dinner that can also take center stage for a special occasion like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter dinner. 

Vegan chickpea meatloaf is a hearty and substantial vegan dish. Chickpeas are high in protein and fiber, so they are the perfect meat replacement. Vegetarian meatloaf is flavorful thanks to the sauteed veggies and the ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture. It’s a classic comfort food dish with a modern, meatloaf twist!

And for even more plant based comfort food, check out this Instant Pot Lentil Soup, these Air Fryer Corn Ribs, and my how to cook canned pinto beans recipe.

Yeap, this is the best vegan meatloaf recipe for serving as vegan dinners, and it’s sooooo good, even the meat lovers in your life won’t miss the ground beef. Plus, this lentil loaf can be made ahead for easy meal prep to help simplify your plant based diet.

Why Make This Recipe

• It’s Quick – From start to finish, this vegetarian meatloaf recipe is ready in one hour.  
• It’s Affordable – Vegetables and chickpeas are affordable and full of flavor.  
• It’s Perfect For Special Occasions – Think beyond meat and serve vegan meat loaf for Thanksgiving, Christmas Dinner, Easter, or any holiday.  

Ingredient Notes

• Olive Oil – Olive oil is my preference, but you can use any light, neutral-flavored cooking oil. 
• Mushrooms – Clean and dice white button mushrooms, baby bella mushrooms, or your favorite kind of mushrooms. 
• Mirepoix – Dice carrots, celery stalks, and yellow onion to add flavor to the recipe. 
• Chickpeas –  Drain and rinse chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans).
• Oatmeal – You can use quick oat or rolled oats. Do not use steel cut oats. Substitute bread crumbs or gluten free bread crumbs, if desired.
• Soy Sauce – Adds delicious umami flavor. 
• Vegan Worcestershire Sauce – Be sure to select vegan Worcestershire to keep this recipe vegan. 
• Ketchup – Use your favorite brand of ketchup. 
• Barbecue Sauce – You can alter the flavor by selecting a sweet or spicy variety. 
• Salt and Pepper – Add kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
• Chopped Parsley – Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a garnish. 

Ready to make this chickpea meatloaf? Gather your ingredients and I will show you…

How To Make Vegan Meatloaf Recipe

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Line a 5×8 loaf pan with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C. 
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and saute the mushrooms, carrots, celery, and onion until tender, about 5-8 minutes.
3. Drain and rinse chickpeas and pulse them in a food processor until a paste forms.
4. Combine the mashed chickpeas, sautéed vegetables, oatmeal, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl. 
5. Combine ketchup and barbeque sauce in a small bowl and add half of it to the chickpea mixture along with salt and pepper and mix to incorporate.
6. Transfer the mixture to the loaf pan and bake for 20 minutes. Brush with the remaining ketchup and bbq sauce mix and cook for another 25 minutes.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

Expert Tips 

• Line a loaf pan with parchment paper to make it easy to remove and slice the loaf. 
• Wipe the mushrooms clean with a damp paper cloth. 
• Chop the mushrooms, onions, carrots, and celery into small pieces before sauteeing.
• Cooked vegetables will incorporate into the mixture much better than raw vegetables.
• Mash the chickpeas into a paste. Using a food processor makes this process effortless. 
• If you aren’t a fan of ketchup, use tomato paste instead. 
• Don’t over mix, or the meatloaf will be tough. 
• Press the meatloaf mixture firmly into the loaf pan. 
• Let the meatloaf sit for 10-15 minutes before serving for a sturdier loaf. 
• The leftover slices make a delicious meatloaf sandwich.

Delicious Variations

• Make it Gluten Free – By using certified gluten free oats and tamari or liquid aminos instead of soy sauce. 
• Add More Veggies – Add additional veggies like bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, or your favorite vegetables. 
• Make It Spicy – Add chopped jalapeño to your vegan loaf for a spicy kick. 
• Make It Sweet – Add a bit of brown sugar or maple syrup to the sauce mixture.
• Add Beans and Seeds – Replace some of the chickpeas with kidney beans, or add some ground flax seeds or chia seeds to power up this vegan meatloaf. 
• Add More Seasonings – Customize the flavor of this meatless meatloaf with your favorite spices, such as smoked paprika, garlic, brown sugar, and Italian seasoning or make it smoky with a bit of liquid smoke.

Prep And Storage

• Prep Ahead – Prepare and refrigerate vegan loaf up to 2 days in advance. 
• Store – Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze – Wrap tightly or place in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before cooking. 

FAQs

More Recipes You May Like

Want even more great vegetarian and vegan recipes? Then check out these;

• White Cheddar Mac and Cheese.
• Easy Greek Rice.
• Air Fryer Falafels.
• Air Fryer Garlic Mushroom Steaks.

Serving Suggestions

My family’s favorite way to enjoy this beyond meat meatloaf is to make it the ultimate comfort food meal and pair it with these mashed potatoes and green beans recipes;

• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.
• Air Fryer Green Beans.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 3 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Thank you for reading my vegan meatloaf recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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