Save to Pinterest A hearty, flavorful vegetarian loaf packed with lentils, vegetables, and warm spices, topped with a tangy red pepper glaze—perfect for holiday gatherings or special occasions.
This dish has always been a hit at family dinners, offering a satisfying centerpiece for both vegetarians and meat-eaters. The lentil loaf is flavorful and holds together beautifully, making it easy to slice and serve.
Ingredients
- Lentils: 1 ½ cups dried brown or green lentils (or 3 ½ cups cooked lentils, drained)
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
- Yellow onion: 1 large, finely diced
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Carrots: 2 medium, grated
- Celery: 1 stalk, finely diced
- Mushrooms: 1 cup, finely chopped
- Walnuts: ½ cup, chopped (optional)
- Rolled oats: ½ cup (use certified gluten-free oats for gluten-free version)
- Breadcrumbs: ½ cup (use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed)
- Flaxseed: 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 5 tablespoons water (flax egg)
- Tomato paste: 2 tablespoons
- Dried thyme: 2 teaspoons
- Smoked paprika: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper: ½ teaspoon
- Soy sauce or tamari: 1 tablespoon (for gluten-free)
- Roasted red bell pepper: 1 large, drained (jarred or homemade, for glaze)
- Tomato paste for glaze: 2 tablespoons
- Apple cider vinegar: 1 tablespoon (for glaze)
- Maple syrup: 1 tablespoon (for glaze)
- Smoked paprika for glaze: 1 teaspoon
- Salt for glaze: ½ teaspoon
Instructions
- Prep the pan:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- Cook lentils:
- If using dried lentils, rinse and simmer in 4 cups water for 25–30 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain and cool.
- Make flax egg:
- In a small bowl, mix ground flaxseed with water and set aside to thicken.
- Sauté veggies:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion for 3 minutes, then add garlic, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. Cook for 8–10 minutes until softened and any liquid has evaporated.
- Combine ingredients:
- In a large bowl, mash lentils lightly with a fork or potato masher, leaving some texture. Stir in sautéed vegetables, walnuts, oats, breadcrumbs, flax egg, tomato paste, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and soy sauce. Mix well to combine.
- Shape the loaf:
- Press mixture firmly into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top.
- Make glaze:
- Blend roasted red pepper, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and salt until smooth.
- Glaze and bake:
- Spread the glaze evenly over the loaf. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until firm and the edges are golden. Let rest in the pan for 15 minutes before lifting out and slicing.
- Serve:
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Save to Pinterest I remember making this loaf for our holiday potluck and everyone went back for seconds. Even those unfamiliar with lentils loved the rich, comforting flavors and gorgeous glaze.
Required Tools
9x5-inch loaf pan, parchment paper, large skillet, mixing bowls, food processor or blender for the glaze, spatula.
Allergen Information
Contains walnuts (optional), soy (soy sauce), gluten (breadcrumbs/oats). Adjust with gluten-free and nut-free alternatives as needed and double-check ingredient labels for allergies.
Nutritional Information
Each serving has approximately 280 calories, 9 g total fat, 38 g carbohydrates, and 12 g protein.
Save to Pinterest This festive lentil loaf is guaranteed to brighten any table. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy leftovers all week!
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do I prepare the lentils for the loaf?
Rinse dried lentils and simmer in water for 25–30 minutes until tender but not mushy, then drain and cool before use.
- → Can I make this loaf gluten-free?
Use certified gluten-free oats and breadcrumbs to ensure the loaf is gluten-free without compromising texture.
- → What alternatives are there for the flax egg?
You can substitute the flax egg with a chia egg or an equal amount of applesauce for binding.
- → How should I store leftovers?
Store in the refrigerator for 3–4 days or freeze to keep it fresh for longer periods.
- → What side dishes complement this loaf?
Roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a crisp green salad pair excellently with the loaf’s flavors.
- → Is the red pepper glaze spicy?
The glaze has a mild smokiness from paprika but remains sweet and tangy without heat.