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.
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
If you must use something other than oatmeal, you can sub 1:1, bread crumbs or crackers. I've subbed gluten-free saltine cracker crumbs in a pinch, and they make a delicious meatloaf, as well.
There's really no need to cover it with aluminum foil, 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.
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. We usually make the BEST meatloaf sandwiches with our leftovers the next day.
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.
Yes, you can freeze meatloaf before or after cooking. Just be sure it's wrapped tightly or stored properly in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn. It should keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350° F, and grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- 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.
- Transfer the meat mixture to the greased 9×13 baking dish, and shape it into a loaf.
- Squirt ketchup all over the top of the meatloaf.
- 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.
- When it’s fully cooked, remove the meatloaf from the oven; slice it and serve with your favorite sides.
Being on a ketovore eating plan, I don’t use oats (they’re oats; oatmeal is the cooked grain product), but use keto “bread” crumbs instead. Otherwise, this is the same recipe I’ve used since Dad taught me to cook 62 years ago. Living alone now, though, I make either the full recipe in two loaf pans, freezing one after it’s cooked, cooled, sliced and wrapped tightly, or I cut the recipe in half. Either way, it’s a good recipe.
That’s great, Joyce! This is definitely my favorite meatloaf recipe. My mom makes it with bread crumbs as well, definitely not bad!
Question: HOW MUCH QUICK OATS FOR 1 LB. OF HAMBURGER? 1/2 CUP or 1?
Finely found a recipe I don’t have to alter much. I cut it an half since I cook for 1. Dr. put me on a very low fat, very low salt diet. I have salt free ketchup and BBQ sauce and have even ordered salt free seasoning salt. A packet of beef Herb Ox or a tsp of NO Salt would make up the difference. Might add a Tbsp of Worcestershire sauce & a tsp of smoked paprika just because I love what they do to beef recipes, Your recipe sounds really good without them. Blessings
Carole, I’m glad you liked the recipe! For 1LB of hamburger, I would use roughly 3/4 cup of oats. I hope this helps!
My mom makes the family meatloaf. I decided to try this myself. It looks so good. Mom loved it and had seconds. Delicious. Easy to make.
Excellent, FAST, DELICIOUS recipe! My family and I were very pleased with dinner tonight!
So easy and quick to put together, and all the ingredients are most likely in your kitchen already. They were in mine, and I don’t shop often!! Definitely a keeper!!!
Thanks for the feedback, Anne! I’m glad that your family enjoyed the meatloaf!
When substituting cracker crumbs (its what my dad always used) what is this the measurements.
What tempeture should the meat loaf be when it’s done?
Lin, we bring ours to a temperature of at least 165° F.
Can this be frozen before cooking or after cooking or either?
Betty, yes, you can freeze it after cooking.