Cover photo of Mediterranean meatloaf

Gluten-Free Mediterranean Meatloaf

with Cauliflower & Potato Mash

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Here’s a classic family meal that most of us have made or eaten with hearty servings of mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables.

Mediterranean Flavours

My meatloaf recipe has a slight tweak that has proven to be popular in my home and circle of friends.

The meatloaf is sandwiched between layers of pickled red peppers, rocket or spinach leaves, feta cheese and olives, then slowly baked in a water bath.

This layering really brightens up the meatloaf, plus as an added bonus, looks pretty when served sliced.

 

What ingredient makes this meatloaf gluten-free?

As is the case with most meatloaves, breadcrumbs are added to give it some structure. Having a constant supply of frozen gluten-free breadcrumbs makes this meatloaf easy to put together, but failing that, I sometimes gather up any gluten-free crackers from my cupboards, grind them and use these as a substitute.

An adobe photo of slices of Mediterranean meatloaf
Two sliced of gluten-free Mediterranean meatloaf on a plate

Gluten-Free Mediterranean Meatloaf

by Sandra, Fun Without Gluten
Meatloaf is a classic, family favourite dish, but this has a Mediterranean twist with tons of flavour and texture.
The meatloaf is sandwiched between layers of pickled red peppers, rocket or spinach leaves, feta cheese and olives, and finished off with a tangy tomato glaze.
Enjoy this meatloaf served warm with creamy cauliflower potato mash or on its own, sliced cold with a salad.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Main Course, Picnic
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Deep loaf tin or casserole dish
  • Deep roasting tray to use as a water bath

Ingredients
  

GLUTEN-FREE MEDITERRANEAN MEATLOAF

    Meatloaf Mixture

    • 500 g minced beef
    • 75 g store-bought or homemade gluten-free breadcrumbs
    • 1 carrot, grated
    • 1 potato, grated
    • 1 onion, white or red, grated
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • 2 tsp brown sugar
    • 1 tsp dried thyme, or
    • 2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped finely
    • 1 tbsp gluten-free barbecue sauce
    • 2 eggs, lightly beaten

    Meatloaf Mediterranean Fillings

    • 150 g feta cheese, crumbled
    • 60 g fresh spinach, shredded or
    • 60 g rocket/arugula leaves, shredded
    • 15 green olives, whole
    • 4 large slices of pickled red peppers (marinated red pimientos), sliced thinly

    Tomato Glazing Sauce

    • 2 tbsp  tomato puree
    • 2 tbsp gluten-free barbecue sauce
    • 1 tbsp Tamari or gluten-free soy sauce
    • 1 tsp runny honey
    • 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
    • ½ tsp salt
    • dash of Tabasco hot sauce (optional)

    CAULIFLOWER POTATO MASH

    • 8-10 potatoes, peeled
    • ½ cauliflower head, broken into small floret pieces
    • 3 tbsp butter
    • 150-200 ml milk
    • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
    • salt and white pepper, to season

    Instructions
     

    Tomato Glazing Sauce

    • In a small bowl, mix all the tomato glazing sauce ingredients together. Set aside to glaze the assembled meatloaf before cooking it.

    GLUTEN-FREE MEDITERRANEAN MEATLOAF

      Meatloaf Mixture

      • Gather and measure all the meatloaf mixture ingredients together.
        A display of all the meatloaf mixture ingredients together.
      • In a medium bowl, mix all the meatloaf ingredients thoroughly using your hands or a fork.
      • Place half the meatloaf mixture in a greased loaf tin or casserole dish.
        Placing half the mixture in a greased loaf tin dish.
      • Press down the meatloaf mixture with the back of a spoon and lay the filling in the following order, starting with the red peppers.
        Pressing down with the back of a spoon and laying the filling in the following order, starting with red peppers.å
      • Next, the crumbled feta cheese and olives.
        Next, laying down the crumbled feta cheese and olives.
      • Finally, the fresh rocket or spinach leaves.
        Laying down on the meatloaf the fresh rocket or spinach leaves.
      • Place the remaining meatloaf mixture on top, pressing down with the back of a spoon.
        Placing the remaining meatloaf mixture on top, pressing down with the back of a spoon.

      Baking the Meatloaf

      • Preheat the oven at 180°C/350°F.
      • Brush half the amount of the glazing sauce liberally over the top of the meatloaf.
        Brushing half the amount of the glazing sauce liberally over the top of the meatloaf.
      • Cover the meatloaf with foil and place the loaf tin or dish in a deep tray.
      • Pour boiling water in the deep tray halfway up the sides of the loaf tin or dish.
      • Bake covered for 25 minutes.
        Baking the meatloaf covered for 25 minutes.
      • Remove the foil and brush the meatloaf with the remaining glazing sauce.
        Removing the foil and brushing the meatloaf with the remaining glazing sauce.
      • Bake for a further 20 minutes.
      • Remove the meatloaf from the oven and allow it to cool down for 20 minutes before slicing and serving. The meatloaf will still be very hot in the centre.
      • If preferred, allow to completely cool down and carefully slice the meatloaf into even slices. This will prevent the meatloaf slice from falling apart and retain the nice pattern of the filling inside. Reheat the slices in the microwave or oven or serve cold.
        Two sliced of gluten-free Mediterranean meatloaf on a plate

      CAULIFLOWER POTATO MASH

      • Cook the potatoes in salted water for 15 mins until semi-soft, then add the cauliflower to cook for the final 10 minutes.
        The potatoes and cauliflower in the salted simmering water.
      • Drain and mash the potatoes and cauliflower using a potato masher.
        Mashing the cooked potatoes and cauliflower with a masher.
      • Add the butter and milk until it becomes a creamy consistency. Season with nutmeg, salt and white pepper.

      Serving

      • Serve the Mediterranean meatloaf with the cauliflower potato mash and gluten-free barbecue sauce.
        Serve with the cauliflower potato mash and gluten-free barbecue sauce.

      Notes

      • Keeps for 2 days chilled
      • Suitable to freeze in slices
      Keyword gluten-free meatloaf, gluten-free pot luck
      Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
      Please mention @fun_without_gluten or tag #funwithoutgluten!
      Serve with the cauliflower potato mash and gluten-free barbecue sauce.

      Cold meatloaf slices makes a perfect potluck dish, picnic addition or light lunch.

      by | Jun 8, 2022 | Meals | 2 comments

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