How to Plant a Meatloaf (According to Dad)

One sunny April morning, I caught my father kneeling in the bean row with a packet of seeds in one hand and a mischievous grin on his face. “I’m planting Sunday’s meatloaf,” he announced, pressing seeds into the soil like he was sowing gold coins.

To hear him tell it, meatloaf didn’t come from the butcher—it sprouted in the garden, grew all summer, and marched into the kitchen when the timing was right. Beans became the “meat,” herbs were the soul, tomatoes made the gravy, and bell peppers added a splash of color. The whole thing was rooted (literally) in his belief that meatloaf didn’t need a single ounce of beef, pork, or poultry to taste hearty, satisfying, and deeply comforting.

And so began the annual “meatloaf planting season” in our Sacramento backyard, where rows of vegetables were secretly destined for a loaf pan instead of a salad bowl.

Planting a Meatloaf for Real

If you were going to grow my father’s ultimate veggie meatloaf, here’s what would go into the soil:

• Beans – Kidney, cannellini, or black beans for the main protein.
• Onions & Garlic – Aromatic flavor foundations.
• Tomatoes – The heart of the red gravy.
• Bell Peppers – Sweet and colorful accents.
• Herbs – Basil, oregano, thyme, and parsley, all fresh-picked for maximum flavor.
• Carrots – For both the loaf and the sauce base.

Growing Zones: Your Meatloaf Map

• Zones 3–5: Start beans indoors, transplant after frost danger passes. Warm up soil with raised beds or mulch for tomatoes, peppers, and basil.
• Zones 6–8: You can direct-sow beans, succession-plant herbs, and enjoy a long harvest season.
• Zones 9–11: Multiple plantings per year are possible—just shade tender greens in high heat.
• Zones 12–13: Year-round planting works; watch for heavy rains and garden pests.

Red Gravy Goes Italian

Southern red gravy is a slow-cooked tomato sauce, often enriched with meat drippings. My father gave it an Italian twist—fresh basil and oregano, a splash of red wine, and sun-ripened tomatoes straight from our garden. It became the crowning glory of his veggie meatloaf.

Dad’s Garden-to-Table Veggie Meatloaf with Italian Red Gravy

Ingredients
For the Veggie Meatloaf:

• 3 cups cooked beans (kidney, cannellini, or black), mashed but still a little chunky
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (whole grain or gluten-free if desired)
• 1 cup finely diced onion
• 1 cup finely diced bell pepper
• 1 cup finely grated carrot
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
• 1 tsp thyme leaves
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 eggs (or flax eggs: 2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp water)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Italian Red Gravy:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• ½ cup dry red wine (optional)
• 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tsp fresh oregano, chopped
• 1 tsp sugar (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
Meatloaf:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine mashed beans, breadcrumbs, onion, bell pepper, carrot, garlic, herbs, tomato paste, eggs, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix until cohesive, shape into a loaf, and place in a parchment-lined pan.
4. Bake for 35–40 minutes until firm and golden.

Red Gravy:

1. In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2. Sauté onion until soft, add garlic for 1 minute.
3. Stir in tomatoes, sauce, wine, basil, oregano, and sugar.
4. Simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste.

Serve:

• Slice the loaf, top generously with red gravy, and sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil.

A Meatloaf Worth Talking About

In our kitchen, Dad’s veggie meatloaf was the main event, not the backup plan. It was comfort food that respected the garden and celebrated flavor. And when the Italian red gravy rolled across the plate? Well, you knew it was Sunday.

We’d love to hear from you! Share your own meatloaf memories—whether beefy, beany, or beet-based—and explore five more great recipes in our Meatloaf Recipe Collection.