Easy and Delicious Vegan "Meatloaf" Recipe

Finding delicious vegan alternatives to traditional meals can sometimes require a lot of Internet searching, scouring numerous cookbooks and lots of experimentation. When it came to finding a recipe for vegan "meatloaf," the recipes that I found ended up being too dry and crumbly, not sticky enough or much too bland. After a bit of trial and error, I have finally come up with a recipe that even non-vegans will enjoy!

Here's what you will need:

1 12 oz. package of vegan ground burger (I use Boca Meatless Ground Burger™ or Morning Star Farms Meal Starters Crumbles™)

¼ cup old fashioned oats (oatmeal)

½ cup onion

½ cup celery

¾ cup plain bread crumbs

½ - 1 tablespoon (depending on how much you like garlic) fresh, minced garlic

1 ½ teaspoons Ener-G Egg Replacer™ mixed with 2 tablespoons water (or other egg replacer, equivalent to 1 egg)

1 teaspoon salt

Black pepper (to taste)

¼ cup ketchup

You will also need a regular loaf pan, a mixing bowl, a pan (for sautéing) and tinfoil.

Here's what to do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Line the loaf pan with tinfoil and make sure to leave enough on the sides to allow you to lift your finished loaf out of the pan.

3. Sautee the onions and celery just until tender.

4. Sautee the ground burger slightly, or microwave for about 1.5 minutes.

5. Cook the ¼ cup oatmeal with ½ cup water.

6. Mix all ingredients, except the ketchup, into the mixing bowl.

7. Press mixture into tinfoil lined loaf pan and cover top with the ketchup.

8. Bake for approximately 45 minutes.

Notes, tips, variations and other fun stuff:

If you prefer a moister "meatloaf" with a bit more tang, add ½ cup barbeque sauce.

If your mix isn't sticking enough, try adding a bit more bread crumbs.

Try mixing 1/8 cup ketchup and 1/8 cup barbeque sauce for the topping (instead of the ¼ cup ketchup).

For a bit more flavor, try Italian bread crumbs instead of plain.

Boca Meatless Ground Burger ™ or Morning Star Farms Meal Startles Crumbles™ both work fine for this recipe. One note for the health-conscious - - the Boca™ product has less fat and more protein than the Morning Star™ product.

I use old fashioned oats for the oatmeal, but it doesn't' seem to effect the recipe if you use quick-cooking oatmeal, so if that's what you have in your pantry, go for it.

For a traditional "meatloaf" dinner, serve with mashed or baked potatoes and vegetables, such as green beans, corn or carrots.

If you have leftover "meatloaf," it makes great sandwiches!

Remember, going vegetarian or vegan even just one day each week is better for your health and the environment, and helps to end cruelty to animals!