Cooking vegan meatloaf without a loaf pan results in a better texture with lots of browned, crispy surface area, along with a shorter cooking time. By placing the meatloaf on a baking sheet and shaping it free-form, you ensure even cooking, prevent sogginess, and allow for quicker cooking. Plus, you won’t be limited by the size of the loaf pan, so you can make bigger (or smaller) batches depending on your needs.