Easy Meatloaf with Oatmeal (How to Make + Video)

How to make an old-fashioned meatloaf with oatmeal just like Mom used to make. Easy classic dinner recipe you can quickly mix together and pop in the oven. So much flavor, it’s not your average meatloaf!

Oatmeal meatloaf is one meal that our whole family loves, and it’s become a go to meal for me when planning our menus. I love making it because I know we’ll get at least 2 meals out of 1 easy meatloaf recipe with oats; same when we make Instant Pot meatloaf and potatoes and my traditional meatloaf recipe, a more classic recipe with a sauce.

this recipe

Now I know this classic meatloaf recipe definitely has some carbs; so I’ve actually taken my meatball recipe and kinda tweaked it to make a low carb meatloaf recipe if you’re looking for a low carb option.

This family favorite meatloaf with oatmeal is super easy to make and so full of flavor. Basically, dump the ingredients in a bowl, mix them up, and drop the whole mixture into a baking pan. Sometimes we even scoop it into muffin tins to make meatloaf muffins!

Meatloaf Ingredients and Substitutions Notes

To make this flavorful meatloaf recipe with oatmeal, you’ll need to gather a few simple ingredients.

• Ground Beef – To make the best meatloaf recipe, it’s best to use a lean ground beef; we prefer to use 90/10 or 85/15 ground beef when mixing up a meatloaf. Our reasons are that it’s leaner, there’s less fat, and there will be less grease around your meatloaf. Don’t worry about flavor… You’ll still get really great flavor from a leaner ground beef. And you’ll also be eating a bit healthier, as well. Note: You can use all or half ground turkey or ground pork for this recipe in place of ground beef. However, it will change the look, texture, and flavor of your finished meatloaf.
• Large Eggs
• Yellow Onion – Chop or mince the onion. You can use sweet onion, but I like the kick in flavor from a yellow onion.
• Ketchup – You’ll need ketchup for the meatloaf mixture and the top of the meatloaf.
• Barbecue Sauce – This gives a smoky flavor to the meat; it’s so good!
• Oatmeal – Oats are the secret to moist meatloaf; they help make a very tender meatloaf. I generally use old-fashioned rolled oats or quick oats to make this juicy meatloaf with oatmeal recipe; I don’t recommend using steel-cut oats, mainly for texture reasons. If using old-fashioned oats, try soaking them in milk before adding them to the mixture, to help soften them. I’ve even used gluten-free quick oats, so if you want a gluten-free meatloaf with oats, this is the way to go (although you should also check ingredient labels on your other ingredients just to be safe). If you don’t have oats, and you want, you can also sub bread crumbs or cracker crumbs with a 1:1 ratio.
• Seasoned Salt – You can use a good seasoning salt or just plain salt and pepper.

Keep in mind, this is a 2 lb meatloaf recipe; to make a 1 lb meatloaf recipe with oatmeal, just cut the ingredient amounts in half.

How to Make Meatloaf with Oatmeal

You’ll need to pre-heat your oven to 350° F, and grease a 13”x9” baking dish with cooking spray for homemade meatloaf.

1. Add all of the ingredients, including the ground beef, eggs, minced onion, ketchup, BBQ sauce, oatmeal, and seasoned salt to a large bowl. Mix well using a large fork; or you can just use your hands.

2. Once everything in the large mixing bowl has been mixed together well, transfer the meat mixture to the 9×13 baking dish, and shape it into a loaf. You can pat the ground beef into a larger loaf and bake it in the 9×13 meatloaf pan; or we’ve even made it by patting the meatloaf into a larger baking sheet. If you do choose to make it in a sheet pan, it likely won’t need as long to bake.

3. Then an optional step, but one I highly recommend… Squirt ketchup all over the top of the meatloaf.

How Long to Cook a 2-Pound Meatloaf

Bake the meatloaf at 350° F for about an hour, longer if needed, until the internal temperature reaches 160° F. Again, a meat thermometer is definitely something I recommend to make sure the meat has come to temp and is fully cooked.

Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

Optional Recipe Variations

There are a few things you can add to give this simple meatloaf recipe with oats even more of a flavor kick…

• Add a bit of Worcestershire sauce, which pairs well with just about any beef dish.
• Add a dash of onion powder and minced garlic (or garlic powder) to the meat mixture.
• Put bacon slices on top of the meatloaf before you bake it.
• Top with a mixture of both ketchup and bbq sauce.
• Make a simple meatloaf glaze with ketchup or tomato sauce, mustard, bbq sauce, and brown sugar for the top of the meatloaf.

Great Side Dishes to Serve with Meatloaf

When it’s fully cooked, remove it from the oven; and serve it with sides like creamy mashed potatoes, green beans, or broccoli.

You can even do what my family absolutely LOVES to do with meatloaf… Make the most delicious meatloaf sandwich ever! Mmmm, I love meatloaf sandwiches… My favorite way to use leftovers!

More Favorite Meat Recipes:

If you love this easy meatloaf recipe, you’ll love these meaty main dishes too…

• Sweet Chili Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
• The Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger
• Baked Italian Cauliflower Meatballs

If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

Meatloaf with Oatmeal

How to make an old-fashioned meatloaf with oatmeal just like Mom used to make. Easy classic dinner recipe you can pop in the oven.

• Large Mixing Bowl
• 9×13 Baking Dish
• Meat Thermometer

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 large yellow onion (minced)
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
• 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
• 4 to 6 tablespoons ketchup (for the top of the meatloaf)

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350° F, and grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Add all of the ingredients, including the ground beef, eggs, minced onion, ketchup, bbq sauce, oatmeal, and seasoned salt, to a large bowl. Mix well using a large fork; or you can just use your hands.

3. Transfer the meat mixture to the greased 9×13 baking dish, and shape it into a loaf.

4. Squirt ketchup all over the top of the meatloaf.

5. Bake the meatloaf at 350° F for about 1 hour, or longer if needed, until the internal temperature reaches 160° F. I definitely recommend a meat thermometer, to make sure the meat has come to temp and is fully cooked.

6. When it’s fully cooked, remove the meatloaf from the oven; slice it and serve with your favorite sides.

*We prefer to use 90/10 or 85/15 ground beef when mixing up a meatloaf. Our reasons are that it’s leaner, there’s less fat, and there will be less grease around your meatloaf. Don’t worry about flavor… You’ll still get really good flavor from a leaner ground beef. And you’ll also be eating a bit healthier, as well. Note: You can use all or half ground turkey or ground pork for this recipe in place of ground beef. However, it will change the look, texture, and flavor of your finished meatloaf.

*I’ve used both old-fashioned oats and quick oats for this meatloaf. I’ve even used gluten-free quick oats, so if you want a gluten-free meatloaf with oats, this is the way to go (although you should also check ingredient labels on your other ingredients just to be safe).

Should I cover the meatloaf while baking?

There’s really no need to, unless your meatloaf starts to brown too quickly on the top or sides… But I have never had this problem. Keep in mind, I use a gas oven, so oven times may vary.

How to store meatloaf?

You can keep leftover meatloaf in the original baking dish and cover with plastic wrap or foil; or you can put whatever’s left in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Can I make it ahead?

If you want to make meatloaf ahead of time without baking, just mix it all up, shape it in the baking dish, cover, and store in the fridge ’til you’re ready to bake it. You can keep it in the fridge overnight.

Dinner Ideas, main dish

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