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Veronica's Veggie Meatloaf with Checca Sauce
Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis Show: Everyday Italian Episode: Vegetarian Italian Overall User Rating: 
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So yummy - a few changes
07/16/2008 at 12:39pm
User: liesel from eugene, OR User Rating:
I loved this!! So did my 10 month old twins and my older kids too. Based on previous reviews about it not staying "loaf-like" I added one more egg and 1/2 cup of whole-wheat panko bread crumbs. I also used sucatash in place of the corn because that's what I had. Next time I make it I'm going to add a few dashes of hot sauce to the mix.
karen in San Francisco
06/15/2008 at 04:38pm
User: karen from san francisco, CA User Rating:
This is the most fabulous tasting lentil loaf I've found to date. Only flaw in the recipe is that the end volume of raw material requires two loaf pans in which to cook. I've found that adding a third egg works out well.
My Mother's day dinner
05/28/2008 at 09:25pm
User: Ruchika from Princeton, NJ User Rating:
A really yummy dish that my husband made on Mother's day. I love lentils so it was a perfect dish to make. Our almost 14 month old enjoyed it too. I wish there was a way to erduce the amount of time and effort spent in making it, but then it may not taste the same.
Veggie meatloaf
05/22/2008 at 11:17pm
User: Cathy from Anaheim, CA User Rating:
I didn't realize till 10 mins before this was done. I forgot to add the eggs and corn! Tell you what! It still tastes wonderful!! The combinations of flavors and the checca sauce is out of this world!!! I can't believe that I did this. Its a keeper in my books!!
Tasty but not meatloaf
05/12/2008 at 12:35pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Thank goodness I made this the day before and baked it the day of. It was very time consuming. It looked great in the pan but did not hold together when served. Although it tasted very good it did not make a nice presentation.
YUM!
05/09/2008 at 09:57am
User: April from Woodbine, MD User Rating:
We really liked this. Would try as a cassarole next time since loaf didn't stand up so well. Took as long as indicated for me. Also, put left overs in cupcake pan for the kids - went over very well!
Great Flavor
05/08/2008 at 05:16pm
User: Jeff from Bedford, TX User Rating:
This recipe has great flavor and is easy to make. The first time I made it the consistancy was a lttle runny, but it was still delicious. Second time I made it I added one piece of soughdough bread converted to crumbs in the food processor. Still had the great flavor and cut more like a meatloaf.
Lovely Lentils!
04/05/2008 at 02:19pm
User: Erin from Beaverton, OR User Rating:
I was struggling to find a use for lentils without throwing them into a soup. When I saw this recipe, I was a little worried that my boyfriend (adventurous with food, but prefers the ol' meat and potatoes) wouldn't like it. We both loved it! The fresh basil really adds so much to it and the lentils weren't mushy or mealy. We substituted Arborio rice for the brown rice and chicken broth for the veggie broth (it was what we had in the cupboard) and it worked great. I'll use this dish when entertaining my vegetarian friends and family members! The only drawback was that our three-year-old daughter didn't care for it, but she's a pretty picky eater. Thanks for the great recipe!
Good but time consuming
01/24/2008 at 08:46pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
After reading some of the reviews about the loaf not holding its shape, I was very careful about the liquid in this recipe. My loaf held its shape wonderfully and tasted good. It's very time consuming so to save time, I used frozen spinach (squeeze out ALL the water). I also used regular sized tomato and took out all the watery membrane and hand chopped. If you're going to use a processor, drain out the excess tomato liquid before proceeding with the recipe. This will keep the moisture content away from the loaf.
Yummy vegetarian dinner
01/02/2008 at 11:25pm
User: C from San Jose, CA User Rating:
We are eating less meat, and this recipe was a tasty dinner for us. I used Trader Joe's precooked black lentils and some rice I had in the fridge. Sauteed onions, carrots, celery and sort of put it together from there. I dried out the mixture a little bit on the stove top after reading reviews- worked well. With the sauce, some soup and a salad, it was a satisfying and flavorful dinner.
So very good, and comforting.
12/28/2007 at 01:42pm
User: Andrea from Marysville, WA User Rating:
Aside from being a little complicated to cook, this is so delicious that I wish I could make it at least once a week. This is so good I was even to get my die-hard meat eating husband and son to eat it with out much fuss, and son is 8!! I had made this for an injured vegetarian friend and she said it was to die for. Recipe is easy to double, and is worth doing since you put out a bit of effort in making it. I was able to freeze it well, although I imagine it is better fresh. Give it a shot, you will be rewarded with a wonderful meatless dish!!
Excellent
12/25/2007 at 11:13am
User: Christine from Otto, NC User Rating:
A wonderful Veggie Loaf. Thank you Veronica.
a camper's dream
12/24/2007 at 10:04am
User: Marisa from Churchville, NY User Rating:
Every year a big group of us, vegetarian and carnivorous, go camping. We each take a night to make dinner for the bunch. One of our crew showed up with this lentil loaf, along with an equally smashing meatloaf. Both were a huge hit. Lentil loaf is quickly becoming an annual dinner in the woods. For those who talk about the prep vs. cook time, I'd say that whoever typed this recipe onto the website just got the two times confused. Seems like if you just swap them back (prep 1h 30m, cook 30m) you'd be in the right general vicinity, yeah? I'm about to embark on this recipe for the first time tonight--making it as the vegetarian holiday addition (tired of eating just veggies and potatoes at every holiday with the fam). Can't wait. I've taken many comments into account--including the use of wild rice and mushrooms. We'll see. Fingers crossed, eh?
My family loved this!
10/22/2007 at 08:22pm
User: Aja from Elmhurst, IL User Rating:
We usually have 2-3 vegetarian meals a week and this one got rave reviews from the family! I sauteed the carrots, onions and celery along with a little minced garlic in olive oil and white wine before adding the rice and lentils. It gave it a really rich flavor along with the chicken stock. Will make again!!!
delicious
10/21/2007 at 10:58am
User: sally from brimfield, MA User Rating:
I doubled this recipe (made 1 vegan) and 1 as posted. Neither held together well but they both tasted fabulous. Very time-consuming but will streamline recipe next time (frozen spinach, chop veggies in food processor), add feta for more flavor and bake in a casserole. The checca sauce/salsa was really good, I made lots extra to serve with other things.
Wounderful
10/09/2007 at 05:42pm
User: Kim from Harrisburg, NC User Rating:
My family has given up most meat and I have had the challenge of coming up with more creative meals. I was so delighted to have come across this recipe which my family loved. Others have had a problem with the loaf falling apart. May I suggest adding less of the Checca to the uncooked portion. Although the Checca is wonderful!
Vegetarian is Great
10/07/2007 at 03:19pm
User: null from null, null User Rating:
Excellent. I would like to see more vegetarian dishes featured on your show.
ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!
10/04/2007 at 05:54pm
User: CHECK from LA, CA User Rating:
I made this (with mashed potatoes) for a Vegetarian couple I know and it was a hit. This is now a staple in my home. My only suggestions would be to use SHORT GRAIN brown rice and make sure ALL liquid is absorbed. Also squeeze all liquid from spinach and use the correct size pan. Otherwise you'll get mush.
different and tasty
10/03/2007 at 01:37pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Watched this on TV the other day and decided to try it out later that evening. Came out perfect and was very easy to make.
over the top
10/01/2007 at 10:26pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
This is so delicious. I never thought it could be so tasty. I am glad I took the time to do this.
Brown Rice & Lentil loaf
08/26/2007 at 11:36am
User: Linda from Maumelle, AR User Rating:
I have made this recipe 3 times now and loved it each time. It is a little time consuming to make but worth the effort.
Good, but lots of work
08/25/2007 at 10:04am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I read other reviews before making this so I was aware that it might take a lot of work. Despite my efforts to plan steps to maximize on the time to prepare, this really did take closer to 2 hours to prepare and cook. Perhaps my prep skills are too slow, but I did use a food processor to take care of some of the chopping. Despite the amount of labor (and dirty bowls and pans) involved, the final dish was really delicious. The checca sauce was good, but it came out a little watery. Maybe I overprocessed it, but it tasted fine and really adds to the dish. My only other criticism is that this recipe required (what I consider) a lot of cheese which I think added more fat calories to this dish than I would have liked. However, cheese does make everything taste better! I would make this again, but as suggested from another reviewer, I might make the rice/lentil mixture the night before to save on some time. This is something to make if you're not in a hurry.
Yum
08/24/2007 at 01:58am
User: Elise from west sacramento, CA User Rating:
I made this a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it. It takes a long time to make and much effort to prepare the ingredients but it makes a lot of meatloaf and it was worth the effort. My only compliant is that it didnt stick together. When I cut the loaf it just fell apart. I followed the recipe exactly.
best thing i've eaten!
08/23/2007 at 10:51am
User: Veronica from Dickson, TN User Rating:
Ok i love food and i love to cook, and this was fantastic! very much worth the effort, which i didn't mind. I made this recipe but didn't cook it in the oven till the next day. I put it in the fridge for the next nite's dinner. I took it out of the fridge about a half hour before putting it in the oven. I also added less spinach, about 1 cup, maybe less even, because that's all i had; and i think this may solve the mushiness problem i read from other reviews. I preheated the oven at 375 instead of 350 for 1/2 hr. I also let it sit for 20 instead of 15 min. to make sure it cooled enough so it wouldnt fall apart when removing from the loaf pan. I served it with a simple side salad mixed with homemade italian dressing and it went great. Needless to stay, i LOVE this recipe and so did my husband who had seconds and then took more for lunch at work.
Surprisingly Good!
08/20/2007 at 03:12am
User: KELLIE from MESA, AZ User Rating:
I am not into all veggies dishes but my husband and I decide to try this and were surprised at how good it was even without meat! I actually didn't even miss the meat in this great dish. We will definitely be making this again!
Calorie count
08/17/2007 at 10:18pm
User: Kathleen from Thousand Oaks, CA User Rating:
Ditto to all those who loved this as I did. As I am starting on a diet, I calculated the calories on this dish. If you serve this dish in 6 servings,the loaf is 404 calories and the sauce is 63 calories, just FYI for those who are interested.
wonderful
08/16/2007 at 07:49pm
User: DEBBIE from ROCHESTER, NY User Rating:
but, i hate to inform the vegans, it has eggs in it, not vegan
Awesome veggie meal
08/09/2007 at 08:24pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Wow, This was the best veggie meal ever. It was easy to make too. The chesse and veggie were perfect together.
Great Vegetarian Dish!
06/10/2007 at 02:32pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
My whole family loves this meatless dish. It is a great way to get my kids to eat vegetables!
tasty
05/20/2007 at 09:14am
User: Cyndi from Oviedo, FL User Rating:
This is very flavorful and good. mine never comes out looking like the picture. I can't seem to get the moisture out but it is good eating just the same.
Perfect for Everyone
04/15/2007 at 03:02pm
User: Ona from Thousand Oaks, CA User Rating:
My husband is a vegetarian and we made this for a dinner party of meat eaters. It was such a hit that every person asked for the recipe. The meatloaf went great with a side dish of portabello mushrooms and mozarella with a salad to compliment.
SOOO TASTY
04/14/2007 at 10:49pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
this is amazing!
Not a "Keeper"
04/07/2007 at 11:30am
User: SANDRA from Sierra Madre,, CA User Rating:
I had been wanting to try this recipe, and so I was careful to read the reviews and make sure it was not overly moist. It still did not hold together as would be expected of something called "meatloaf." Further, the taste was "incomplete". I wasn't that it had no taste, just that I wanted something more from it. The best way I can describe my reaction was that the taste was too nebulous for me. Best part was the crusty top. I didn't use tomatoes, being off season, I used a few slices of procuitto and shaved parmigiano reggiano. I'm going to do what another suggested, form what is left into patties, add some more egg to bind it, and fry it... in butter... The Checco Sauce was flavorful, but a bit too "bright". We'll definitely use it. But I think I'll add some parsley and a pinch of salt.
YUMMY
04/03/2007 at 08:13am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I LIKED THE TASTE OF THIS RECIPE AND I WILL MAKE IT AGAIN.IT TOOK ME LONGER THAN 30MINS TO PREPARE BUT WITH PRACTISE I CAN GET BETTER AT MY TIMING. THANKS FOR A TASTY MEAL
Very Tastey!
03/26/2007 at 06:30pm
User: Pam from elk grove, CA User Rating:
I agree with other reviewers - it takes a long time to prepare and it is labor intensive, but well worth the effort. It didn't set up well for me, I too would use a casserole dish next time and not a loaf pan. It tasted better the next day and seemed to hold together better too. The sauce is amazing, I would definitely make this again. Lots of flavors and textures going on here - thank you so much for this recipe!
Not that great
03/14/2007 at 10:14pm
User: Cynthia from Dallas, TX User Rating:
As the other reviewers say, this recipe is a lot of work and generates a lot of dishes. I followed the recipe EXACTLY. The loaf tasted okay, and it might even be in the top tier of veggie loaves as far as flavor goes ... but that's not saying much. Veggie meatloaf in general is probably not likely to be a great gastronomic experience. If you want the nice neat slices in the picture, you'd better let the loaf stand for more than 15 minutes. The sauce adds character, but I don't understand all the raves about it.
Corn Change
03/06/2007 at 04:22am
User: Lisa from Oklahoma City, OK User Rating:
When you think the veggie loaf couldn't taste any better, the checca sauce makes it even better. The only change I made was not cooking the frozen corn with the lentil mixture. Instead, when I stirred together the lentil mix, eggs, spinach, cheese, and etc., I also added the frozen corn. The effect is added texture to the loaf. It isn't soft or unflavorable like in the original recipe but tasty and delightfully munchy.
Love it!
02/22/2007 at 11:29pm
User: Jennifer from Fairview, TN User Rating:
I made this for a mixed group of vegetarians and meat eaters, and everyone loved it! Great flavor and texture.
Loved the result, it took a while to get there
02/20/2007 at 02:25pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
This was absolutely delicious and I felt healthy eating it. However, it was a lot of pots and prep work, and took longer than I expected. And I consider myself an experienced cook.
Pretty Good
02/11/2007 at 05:37pm
User: Jennifer from Colorado Springs, CO User Rating:
This was good, but a bit time consuming. Based on other reviews, I was careful to cook off any excess liquid. It still didn't hold together well, but it wasn't mushy or soupy.
delicious
02/03/2007 at 11:43am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Trying to eat a little healthier with more whole grains but have celiac so it is tough! This was delicious though I lightened the cals a bit. Also, watch the garlic in the salsa - my cloves must have been a lot larger than hers and it was a little too much (even for a garlic lover!)
A real winner !
01/30/2007 at 02:06pm
User: Lisa from ASTON, PA User Rating:
My vegetarian daughter is a very picky eater. Not only did she like this dish, she had a second helping. And within two days, she also finished off the leftovers, too! We all loved the combination of flavors and textures. I cut back on the garlic in the checca sauce to 2 cloves, which made it a bit less spicy but it suited our tastes just fine. There was still quite a bit of liquid left after the rice was finished cooking, so I did have to drain some off. I plan to reduce the amount of liquid to 2 1/2 cups next time, since this is the recommended amount of liquid on the rice package itself. Giada, you hit a home run with this one!
Hearty, flavorful, & moist !
01/29/2007 at 11:39am
User: Christine from Smithtown, NY User Rating:
I really liked this recipe. It was very hearty, healthy, and full of flavor. I used frozen spinach as recommended by others & made sure to squeeze out all the liquid. The cheeca sauce was necessary because you need to put 1/2 in the loaf, but otherwise, I did not use it as a topping. I loved the melted mozarella cubes in the middle of the loaf. Mine stayed together as well as expected...and other reviewers were correct, it tasted better the next day & was much easier to cut without falling apart. Recipe yields a giant loaf !! Too much for just the man & I. I've been eating mine for days !
wow - a weekly staple
01/28/2007 at 11:41am
User: Heather from Southport, CT User Rating:
My husband and I are both vegetarians and I'm constantly looking for something to make in a larger batch that will keep well for a fews days as left over dinner and/or lunches. This one fits the bill! I've made this twice. Both times I've omitted cooking the spinach and have not added the extra butter to the dish. Came out well. Second time I made this I substituted quinoa instead of b. rice and rice mozzarella cheese instead of the dairy cheese. Then topped with vegan parm cheese. Excellent! Might be making this again tonight as it's been requested.
Just Fantastic
01/26/2007 at 04:14pm
User: Katie from Dallas, TX User Rating:
Absolutely loved this dish. Lots of steps and ingredients, but very much worth the effort! Very healthy and filling.
Very Tasty!
01/22/2007 at 07:15pm
User: Sarah from Clearwater, FL User Rating:
I liked this recipe a lot, and I am normally not a big fan of lentils. I am on Weight Watchers, so lightened it up a bit by cutting the amount of cheese in half, using 4 egg whites instead of 2 eggs and eliminating the butter. It came out great! Next time I am going to try adding some mushrooms.
Let it cool longer before cutting!
01/22/2007 at 08:27am
User: Vanessa from Caldwell, NJ User Rating:
Well, it does take some time to prepare & yes, it can fall apart, but only if you don't give it enough time to set up. Although I don't think I'd be able to stand the wait, the next time I make this dish, I will prepare it a day in advance. It was much easier to slice after it had been refrigerated overnight. Also, I did not serve it with the extra Checca sauce. I found it to be too much "mush". Instead, serve it with a little extra grated cheese and a sprinkling of lemon juice. The lemon juice really livens up the nutty flavors of the loaf. Overall, I loved this recipe and I can't wait to make it again!
Love this!
01/21/2007 at 06:33pm
User: Beth from Chapel Hill, NC User Rating:
I am a relatively new vegetarian, and meat loaf is one of the things I was missing most - until now. Granted, it is not EXACTLY the same as meaty meatloaf, but it is a great substitute that is full of healthy veggies. I often make it a day in advance so it has plenty of time to set and isn't as watery. I also use frozen chopped spinach to cut down on prep/cooking time. YUM!!!
Wonderful!!!
01/16/2007 at 08:00pm
User: Jamie from North Port, FL User Rating:
I absolutely loved this veggie loaf. I subsituted soy cheese for the cheese in this recipe and egg replacer for the egg and it was excellent. It did take longer to put together than 30 minutes, however it was well worth the effort. I will definately make this again. I would love to see more recipes with veggies like this one.
Delicious - healthy comfort food
01/16/2007 at 09:47am
User: Katena from West Palm Beach, FL User Rating:
I love this recipe - it's simple to put together, and I get consistent results each and every time. Even non-vegetarians always clean their plates when this "meat" loaf is on the menu. Not to mention that it re-heats beautifully, and can easily be made ahead. I would recommend making double the checca sauce called for, as I never have any leftover to have the next day.
YUM
01/15/2007 at 02:42pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I was out of Parmesana and fresh basil. So, I substituted dry basil and (sadly) left out the Parm. Still came out delicious! Probably would have been even better if I had all the ingredients. Very satisfying, filling, delicious, and good for you!
Yummy!
01/14/2007 at 05:29pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
A great tasting treat. While it involves more time and effort than you might think, the end result is great. I'm a vegetarian and my husband is a meat lover - we both really enjoyed this dish. I'd make twice the checca sauce and make the dish in a lasagna dish just so I could have more of the yummy tomatoe topping next time.
So tasty
01/13/2007 at 07:04pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
We are regular meat eaters so I was a little sceptical. So yummy! I would shred the cheese and increase the lentils to 1 cup.
Yummy!
01/11/2007 at 03:31pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
This was great!
Delish!
01/08/2007 at 01:46pm
User: TRACY from Philadelphia, PA User Rating:
This was great! A bit time consuming; however I made it into 2 smaller loaves and freezed one for an easy weeknight meal! You definately have to make sure all liquid is absorbed into the rice mix and that you squeeze all the liquid out of the spinach. The checca sauce is good - it adds a lot of fresh flavor to the loaf. It is very garlicky though so if you're not a big fan of raw garlic, I'd only use 1 clove.
Veggie Meatloaf
01/07/2007 at 11:26pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
This was good, but not fantastic. My only complaint is the prep time. I may try it again by preparing half of the ingredients the day before. I was careful to make sure all the water was out of the veggies and a cheese cloth does come in handy!
Amazing!!
01/07/2007 at 07:29pm
User: Rebecca from Winter Park, FL User Rating:
I'm not even vegetarian and this recipe was just wonderful! I added portabello mushrooms and dried porcini mushrooms to make it tate even more like the real thing!! Really Good!!
Pretty Good
01/07/2007 at 11:14am
User: Nicole from Freeport, NY User Rating:
This recipe turned out well but is very labor intensive. Also, if you make this, include the basil that's in the checca sauce, but omit the rest of the basil in the actual loaf. It was too overpowering when you got a bite of it.
Mmmmazing
01/02/2007 at 06:05pm
User: Sarah from Phoenix, AZ User Rating:
This recipe was great! I love lentils. I love tomatos. I never really thought about putting them together like this. The sauce was the best part but I had to go back and get more ingredients the next day because I ate it all on one or two slices of the loaf. I suggest doubling or tripling the sauce recipe, at least. It's soooo good.
Delicious
12/22/2006 at 07:00pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Hearty and wonderful flavour.
Disappointing - Fell Apart
11/27/2006 at 05:02pm
User: James from Harrisburg, PA User Rating:
I made this for my wife, who's vegetarain. She loved the flavor, but there was simply too much moisture in this, and the creation came out more like a big old slop of stuff than an actual loaf. Sorry, Giada, we do love your show, but this didn't work. And it was labor intensive.
The best vegetarian recipe I've tasted!!
11/13/2006 at 12:20pm
User: Jacqueline from Denver, CO User Rating:
I made this for the second time last night for a group of friends and it was devoured! In between bites, everyone commented on how delicious it was and asked for the recipe. The first time I made it, it was less like a loaf and more like a casserole so I was cautious this time to ensure all excess water was drained and cooked off and it came out perfect. Paired with an Italian salad, this is a delicious Sunday night meal and worth every minute of preparation time!
Checca this one out!!
11/09/2006 at 11:02am
User: Margaretta from Tifton, GA User Rating:
This was great! I am always looking for new ways to cook lentils and this was a real find! My husband fell in love with this one and so did I. The variety of veggies and, even though it took a little time to prepare, it was worth it. Giada has done it again and thanks to her Mother for being a vegetarian!
Much better than it looks!
10/20/2006 at 12:41pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
This looks kind of creepy, but tastes sooooooo good! We really liked it- and my husband doesn't like anything that does not include meat. Watching my husband's cholesterol so I cut back substantially on the cheese and used two egg whites. Probably that is why it didn't stick together as well. It was still delicious and so flavorful. I also added a couple gloves of sauteed chopped garlic. Other than that, followed the recipe exactly. I am eating it for lunch the next day as we speak- even better the second time around! VERY labor intensive however
Great Flavor
10/16/2006 at 09:42pm
User: JESSICA from Seattle, WA User Rating:
I love the Checca sauce and the "loaf" tastes great. It didn't set up very well so it was more of a veggie mushy crumble but we liked it.
Very flavorful!!
10/03/2006 at 08:13pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
We loved this. I'm vegetarian, hubby is not - and he really liked it, too. Maybe I'm more used to vegetarian food, but it was great. It's amazingly good with the checca sauce. The next day I made the leftovers into burger "patties" and fried them in a skillet...they make mouthwatering burgers, trust me!! Delish!!
Great substitute for hearty meatloaf!
09/24/2006 at 09:21am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I LOVED this. Anyone who reviews it and says it's bland or tasteless is crazy - it is full of flavor! And with regard to the prep time/cooking time issue, I found that multitasking (i.e., chopping veggies as the rice cooks) and using a food processor (especially to shred the carrots) really cuts down on the time involved. I also used one package of frozen chopped spinach in place of fresh (due to the e. coli scare!) and that cut down tremendously on time. Just thaw and squeeze out excess water.
exellent flavor
09/23/2006 at 06:19pm
User: evelyn from Farmington Hills, MI User Rating:
Because of the spinach scare, I used frozen hopped broccili. after reading the reviews I used 2 1/2 cups of broth. The taste was very good, the. I also used a 9x9 casserole , enstead of the loaf pan. The vegetables set up so good, I am sorry I did not use the loaf pan. I should have followed the advise of others and doubled the sauce, it was delicious. My daughter and grandson are vegetarians, and loved the meal. Thank you, you are the tops.
DELICIOUS
09/19/2006 at 07:37pm
User: sibel from daytona beach, FL User Rating:
i think this is really delicious and healthy dish
great way to get your veggies!
09/19/2006 at 10:19am
User: Denise from North Brunswick, NJ User Rating:
I've made this dish 4x since this spring and every time it's a hit. My co-workers come to the kitchen as soon as they smell this heating in the microwave. Great at room temperature too!
Meatless loaf
09/16/2006 at 11:28am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Very tasty and filling, the leftovers were even better.
Delish!
09/13/2006 at 12:58pm
User: Nancy from Baltimore, MD User Rating:
We loved this meal! It had a ton of flavor and was a nice change to the regular meatloaf. It did, however, take a very long time to make (added on to the time it takes to cook). I don't recommend trying to prepare it after work on a week night because you won't eat until 9:30! This is one of my favorite Giada recipes.
good for vegans
09/13/2006 at 08:38am
User: rucha from malden, MA User Rating:
I tried this receipe the same day.Its turned out good. Nice for vegans. Main thing is its helathy and full of fibers.
yummmmmmmmm...ie!!!!!
09/12/2006 at 07:49pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Please give a veggie version of your recipes (if possible). I try and do it on my own and they DO taste yum!!!
Very flavorful
09/09/2006 at 07:04pm
User: Erin from Tyndall AFB, FL User Rating:
This was extremely good. It did take a little bit longer to make than I thought but was well worth the effort. Even my husband who is a meat and potatoes guy loved this. I will be making it again.
delish
08/18/2006 at 09:44am
User: lucy from anchorage, KY User Rating:
A bit time intensive, but full of wonderful flavor!!
Way to long to prepare
08/13/2006 at 08:38pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
This recipe took between 21/2 and 3 hours to prepare and the loaf was too bland. Not worth the effort.
This was great!
08/07/2006 at 01:14pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I loved this recipe! It took longer than the time stated but was well worth the wait - we're having it again next week for a dinner party.
AWESOME!!!
08/03/2006 at 11:08pm
User: Karen from Tomball, TX User Rating:
This is the first veggie loaf I have ever tried, and it was fantastic! My husband raved and ate two HUGE servings! He said he felt like he was at a five star restaurant!!! I added an extra garlic clove to the checca sauce, but other than that followed the recipe exactly. A little labor intensive, but WELL WORTH the effort! I feel like an Italian chef!!!!
Lovely alternative
07/25/2006 at 02:18pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
My vegetarian parents loved this dish - it's a lovely alternative to the usual meatloaf. Even my daughter ate it...
Absolutely Wonderful!
07/25/2006 at 01:33pm
User: Rigel from Philadelphia, PA User Rating:
I made this without any adjustments except that I put it in the Pampered Chef oval baker. It came out perfect! Very tasty and easy to make. Most of the time is spent cutting veggies. Even my boyfriend loved it(who normally thinks this kind of thing is boring). I think next time I will add more corn (because I love it!) and will try it with frozen spinach to speed up the process. I've given the recipe to all of my friends. Try it; you won't be disappointed!
Super Veggie Dish!
07/23/2006 at 11:47am
User: Martha from Brattleboro, VT User Rating:
I'm not a vegetarian, but do need to cook for several vegetarians weekly. A beautiful presentation dish,healthy and easy to make!Checca sauce is fabulous,fresh and flavorful! A "keeper recipe" for sure!
Excellent!!
07/10/2006 at 08:33pm
User: Carol from Blackstone, MA User Rating:
This is the veggie meatloaf all others will be compared to from now on. Yes, it is labor intensive, but so worth it. The intensity of the flavors surprised me and the checca sauce is so fresh and tasty! Guaranteed I will be making this again! Giada I am so happy your mother is a vegetarian. Please share more veg recipes!!
Great use of lentils!
07/02/2006 at 03:02pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
So good even non-vegetarians ask for it!
Tasty but not very loaf-like
06/30/2006 at 12:01am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I made this recipe the other night and really enjoyed the taste. It was extremely flavorful with nice texture from the lentils. However, my loaf did not come out like a loaf, even though I allowed it to sit after removing it from the oven. I'm not sure if it's because I used instant rice that did not fully absorb the broth or what. If this happens, I recommend just going with it and serving it in a bowl. This is a very yummy recipe, even if it doesn't stick together, but it takes a LOT of prep work. I recommend using frozen spinach instead of fresh to cut down on a pan. Also, the checca sauce lends nice flavor, but it is tasty enough without it, so this could be skipped in my opinion if you were trying to cut down on prep time.
Unbelievably Good!
06/19/2006 at 05:27pm
User: Christina from Philadelphia, PA User Rating:
I made this last night for dinner for my husband and a few friends -- it was truly a showstopper. The flavors are unbelievable! The Checca Sauce is truly special. To be sure I'd have enough Checca Sauce for serving, I used about 3/4 cup of a good, fresh-tasting and organic tomato sauce in the loaf itself. And to avoid having a mushy, shapeless veggie loaf, I underscore the point in the recipe that the lentils should be initially 'cooked' just until boiling. Be sure to drain the lentils just as the water begins to boil actively. Also, the rice should still have a little crunch to it before the lentils and vegetables are added to it -- keep in mind that it has still 30 more minutes to cook. You'll really enjoy this! This is a now a permanent part of my dinner party repetoire!
Awesome flavor!
06/18/2006 at 06:36pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I have cooked this twice. The second time I made it for a dinner party in individual tart pans for each person. Everyone loved it, even the big meat eaters. My only problem is that it is too moist and tends to fall apart easily, that's why I used smaller tart pans the second time. I'll try less broth next time.
Keep it up
06/15/2006 at 08:59pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Fabulous taste and texture. My husband absolutely loves this recipe. We are always looking for great, hearty vegetarian recipes, and this recipe delivers. I did add a few breadcrumbs in order to thicken the mixture. I also second the addition of wild rice and mushrooms. Indeed, it is a time-consuming recipe, but overall, the recipe is simple and definitely worth the time.
Decent flavor, but takes FOREVER!
06/15/2006 at 08:23pm
User: MEGAN from Georgetown, SC User Rating:
Maybe I did something wrong, but the times listed in the recipe just aren't right. It took me a little over 2 1/2 hrs to make this recipe from start to finish. The only suggestion I can make is to cook the rice beforehand and keep it in the refrigerator to cut down on cook time. The flavor is good, though a little bland, even with the Checca sauce. I decided to substitute a little bit of diced red bell pepper instead of the spinach, and it gave a little more flavor. Lentils..well, lentils can tend to make any meal taste a little dry. I also decided to serve this with mashed potatoes, just like my mom served with her meatloaf. Just call me carb-girl ;) Overall, this would be a good holiday type meal, one where you've got a lot of family to feed, and you're expected to spend a LOT of time in the kitchen. Definitely not a quick, after work meal.
Surprisingly Good!
06/15/2006 at 09:39am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I was skeptical about making this recipe since I typically don't like lentils. However, I was very pleasantly surprised. It was very tasty. I didn't add the celery nor the corn, but I didn't feel like anything was missing. I wasn't a fan of the Checca sauce on the side, it was too garlicky and cold with the warm loaf. Next time I'll make a little less sauce and incorporate all of it into the loaf. I will definitely make this again, even my 18 month old liked it!
Lots of work and all worth it
06/15/2006 at 08:23am
User: Rachel from Barrington, RI User Rating:
This is one of the recipes which will go into my permanent recipe box. There were only two criticisms of it. First, it is labor-intensive, but the end result is so tasty and satisfying that I don't mind too much. Secondly, it does't hold together too well. I tried adding some bread crumbs to help bind it, but it didn't seem to work. I tried this because my husband recently became a vegetarian, and there are a lot of bad-tasting vegie recipes out there. This is not one of them. I have served this to many people with different tastes, and it is universally liked. The checca sauce alone(which is easy and fast) makes the recipe worth it. I am finding many uses for this sauce.
Too much trouble; not worth it
06/14/2006 at 03:49pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
This took too much time and was not worth all the effort. Bland and mushy!
WHO NEEDS MEAT?!!!
06/13/2006 at 06:58pm
User: Maria from Arvin, CA User Rating:
GREAT TASTE!
veggie dinner party hit
06/07/2006 at 02:15pm
User: Jessica from Santee, CA User Rating:
I tried this recipe for a dinner party where the guests were vegetarian. It had alot of steps, but was reletively simple. The flavor was so awesome and even my carnivore husband raved about it.
Tastes pretty good.
06/07/2006 at 12:05pm
User: Corinne from Mesa, AZ User Rating:
I was a little skeptical about this recipe because I'm not a vegetarian. After reading the reviews I decided to try it. I was very surprised! This dish is delicious. Even my husband liked it! I had lots of tomatoes from my garden, so it brought the homegrown taste to the dish. Thanks!
Really good
06/05/2006 at 07:34pm
User: KELLY from Tucson, AZ User Rating:
This recipe was really tasty! Even my husband, who is not sold on the "meatless" entrees, really liked it! It does take a bit of preparation, but in my opinion, they are worth it!
Great Dish
06/04/2006 at 12:38am
User: Melanie from Stone Mountain, GA User Rating:
I was genuinely surprised by how good the meatloaf was. Although the recipe took a little longer than I would have liked to prepare, it was well worth it. I probably won't fix the full amount of the checca sauce which I thought was okay, but I'm personally not the biggest fan of garlic. However, I will definitely be cooking this recipe again. And now that I've done one run through, I'm sure preparing it will be a lot faster.
time consuming but well worth it
05/31/2006 at 03:14pm
User: Suzanne from Andover, NH User Rating:
Not for a 30 minute meal but that's a different show.Followed the directions except didn't have celery so used a little celery seed.Held together very nicely and was enough sauce to cover plated servings, really don't need a double recipe of it.Didn't find any leftovers when I looked today...dish washer must have eaten the last piece yesterday. Can reuse pot lentils were cooked in to do spinach and the food processor for all chopping/grating. :C
Yummy
05/30/2006 at 07:59am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
This was great, but it made 2 loaf pans instead of 1.
Too bland
05/28/2006 at 02:39pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Too bland and didnt hold its shape.
delicious
05/24/2006 at 05:43pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
labor intensive but worth it!
decent but time-consuming
05/23/2006 at 05:47pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I cut the amount of veg broth to 2 3/4 cups. I would use frozen chopped spinach and skip cooking down fresh spinach (just another pan to wash). Good texture and flavor, but I'm probably not going to make this again.
Good but not great
05/22/2006 at 11:13pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I agree with other reviews...this is more like a casserole. I actually liked it the day after when I warmed it in the oven with more mozzarella sprinkled over it. If I make this again I will put it in a casserole dish and cover it with cheese.
Yuummie
05/21/2006 at 11:45am
User: stacy from colo sprgs, CO User Rating:
Grreat never would of thought of vegeterian meatloaf!!
Veronica's meatless Veggie Meatloaf
05/17/2006 at 12:37pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
The meatloaf was very good. But what made it a 4 star rating was the Checca Sauce. That was an excellent compliment to the meatloaf. Kinda' labor intensive but well worth it
Tasty but NOT a loaf
05/16/2006 at 09:10am
User: Paige from Vidalia, GA User Rating:
I followed the recipe exactly. The final result was tasty, but NOT a loaf. The mixture was very loose and did not hold together. It was more of a casserole than a loaf. I might try this one more time and adjust the cooking liquid down somewhat or add another egg to help bind it.
So-So
05/14/2006 at 07:17pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I thought this was dry and as always Giada uses recipes that dirty every dish in the house. The sauce was great though. I have to say I almost didn't try it at all because on the show she kept calling it lentil loaf which sounds absolutely disgusting. I'm grateful she was smart enough to give it a better name on the web.
Scrumptious
05/13/2006 at 08:07am
User: Dolores from Natrona Heights, PA User Rating:
I have cooked a similar dish, but the Checca Sauce you topped was the nice addition that created a very nice,tasty,luscious dish. Thank You so much Dolores
Not Vegetarian, but good
05/11/2006 at 12:48pm
User: Joanna from Garner, NC User Rating:
The recipes are not vegetarian being they have parmesan reggiano which contains animal rennet. Just swap out the cheeses that Giada uses to make it a true vegetarian recipe.
you won't miss the meat!
05/10/2006 at 08:49pm
User: Kristin from Concord, NC User Rating:
Yummy! It's very filling & the flavors come through nicely. The only change I suggest would be to double the checca sauce. It's a fabulous addition to the "meatloaf" & there wasn't quite enough of it. I will definitely make it again!
Awesome as usual
05/09/2006 at 07:48pm
User: SUSAN from Mint Hill, NC User Rating:
Every recipe I have made of Giada's is wonderful. Although time consuming it was well worth the work. Cooking is therapy for me so this is a recipe to make when you need your therapy! My husband hates vegetables--he loved this dish.
Wow!!
05/09/2006 at 04:52pm
User: Lisa from Lafayette, IN User Rating:
I served this recipe and was thrilled that even my kids loved it! Wonderful flavors and we didn't miss the meat at all!! A new family favorite.
Jo Jo Lofton - San Antonio, TX
05/09/2006 at 03:33pm
User: JoAnn from San Antonio, TX User Rating:
Even though this recipe took some time to prepare, I think it was worth it. The next time I make it, I think I will reduce the amount of basil in the mixture. My husband, who loves meat, enjoyed it and had it the next day for lunch. Thanks for all your family recipes and inspiration.
Wonderful......
05/08/2006 at 01:49pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Great change from the traditional loaf. I read the reviews before making and was also glad I made twice the sauce. One comment I have, I wish ppl wouldn't review without trying and base a one star on the fact they don't like the main ingredient...what is that about? Keep up the good work Foodnetwork...especially vegetarian dishes!!
Polish kitchen friendly recipe
05/07/2006 at 03:23pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I found this recipe fairly easy and fun to make. Most of the vegetables used are also common to Polish cooking, so it transitioned very well to the dishes my family is accustomed to eating. I have never cooked an entire vegetarian meal before, and I found this recipe as an excellent start to branching out my inventory of dishes.
WONDERFULL RECIPE
05/06/2006 at 05:17pm
User: Vicki from Hopatcong, NJ User Rating:
This is a terrific dish and as a side dish makes a lot of servings. Next time, I'll double the Checca sauce. I didn't have enough left over to accomodate all the servings when plated. The Checca sauce is delicious and I will use it for other dishes as well.
Fantastic!
05/03/2006 at 04:28pm
User: Kathryn from San Francisco, CA User Rating:
All good things are worth the wait and this is one. Full recipe prep and cook time is long (it took me two hours with all chopping and multi-talking). You'll also have a heaping sink of dishes at the end. I would modify a few things: 1. Make double the Checca sauce. You'll be happy you did! 2. Add nuts right before baking for a little more texture. Also experiment with adding mushrooms for richness and a little crushed red pepper for kick. (Or, Emeril's spice mixture if you have leftover from other recipe) 3. I used wild rice instead of brown rice and liked the texture. 4. Use at least an additional cup of spinach. Once it is cooked down, you have very little spinach. 5. Don't add all three cups of broth to start. Use 2.5 cups and add more (already at a boil) if the rice mixture needs extra. I spent too much time cooking the excess liquid off the lentil/rice mixture. Also, good luck getting this in one loaf pan! Don't be stingy with the cheese topping and enjoy the leftovers!! They are the best part! Yum Yum!!
Finally!
05/03/2006 at 01:12pm
User: Ginka from Jackson, TN User Rating:
I'm so glad to see Giada doing something healthy for a change. I used Manchego because it's what I had on hand and dried basil and it was still excellent. My only gripes are that it didn't hold together and it uses way to many pots. But I'll still make it again.
Wonderful texture and flavors
05/03/2006 at 09:58am
User: SUNNY from Westford, MA User Rating:
This was really delicious, if a bit time intensive. The Checca sauce is the crowning glory. Mine did come out a bit watery even though I was careful not to overprocess it. Next time I might drain off a bit of the liquid as I found the loaf was a little reluctant to hold together. I'm betting leftovers are going to be even better! To the person who said they wouldn't even consider making it, then why bother rating it?
excellent sauce
05/03/2006 at 12:59am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
The sauce makes the loaf so much better. Makes a great veggie one-dish meal.
Made it, Ate it, and Loved it!
05/02/2006 at 07:57pm
User: VINCENT from Bakersfield, CA User Rating:
We are not vegetarians, but we gave this a try.. It looked soo good when Giada was making it. It was very moist and flavorfull and the tomatoe topping with the mozzarrella made it even better.. Thanks Giada......
checca sauce review
05/01/2006 at 10:10pm
User: Lauren from Dallas, TX User Rating:
we didn't make the veggie loaf but we did try the checca sauce which we spooned over grilled chicken. the flavor was great except next time i'll reduce the amount of garlic a tad as well as the amount of olive oil; the mixture wasn't so "salsa" like as giada describes, it was quite runny.
Absolutely delisious!
05/01/2006 at 08:37pm
User: Carole from Buffalo, NY User Rating:
It was fun to prepared with my guests. It was full of flavor and not at all what I expected from vegetarian cuisine. Instead of topping it with tomatoes, I poured red sauce on the top because that's what I do with my regular meatloaf. It was even gret re-heated! The roasted veggied really came through.
Can't lose-Delicious and Healthy
05/01/2006 at 07:36pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
This was great. My husband loved it and so did my toddler. It was even better left over. I cooked it in a 9x9 pyrex. Only Criticism is the prep time took a little longer than published but was well worth the extra time. Bravo Giada!! PS- I may try this as a stuffing for roast chicken
I would never try this
05/01/2006 at 06:34pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I am astounded there is an actual recipe for Lentil Loaf. I grew up having to eat "Lentil Loaf" (when being a vegetarian was not cool or trendy, my mom was raising me vegetarian in the 70's), now in my adulthood I can not eat any recipe that has Lentil as an ingredient. My Lentil Loaf experience was not a good one.
awesome!
05/01/2006 at 06:20pm
User: Ranga from Germantown, MD User Rating:
It is about time Food Network started hosting shows about vegetarian cooking! More and more people are turning away from watching blood and guts being cooked and turning on to healthy, wholesome vegetarian cooking! Keep it up!
Don't Miss the Meat in this Hearty and Healthy Vegie Loaf
05/01/2006 at 01:28pm
User: JoAnne from Smyrna, GA User Rating:
I'm not a vegetarian, but this looked so good when Giada made it on her show, I just had to make it the next day. It's absolutely delicious and has nothing but healthy ingredients in it. The checca sauce is light and fresh and a nice accompaniment to the vegie loaf. I can certainly think of many more uses for this sauce too. Another winner, Giada! No wonder it's your Mom's favorite!
Veggie Meatloaf is Awesome!
04/30/2006 at 09:33am
User: Keith from overland park, KS User Rating:
I was so excited to try the veggie "meatloaf" I saw on Everyday Italian that I went straight to the store to pick up the few missing ingredients I needed and cooked it up the same day. The loaf is healthy and contains plenty of protein (a big plus for me as a vegetarian), but is also hearty and tastes wonderful! It is particularly tasty to add the checca sauce on top. Thanks, Gaida, for sharing your vegetarian recipes on your show. Along with your meatloaf recipe, you and your show are awesome!