How to make the best meatloaf recipe with oatmeal and ground beef. Simple, easy, delicious dinner idea that's quick to mix up. Recipe with how to video!
Oatmeal meatloaf is one meal that our 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 two meals out of one easy meatloaf recipe.
Now I know this 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.
But really this meatloaf with oatmeal is super easy to make. Basically, dump the ingredients in a bowl, mix them up, and drop the whole mixture into a baking pan.
You can pat the ground beef into a larger loaf and bake it in a 13″x9″ pan; or we've even made it by patting the meatloaf into a larger sheet pan. If you do choose to make it in a sheet pan, it likely won't need as long to bake.
Either way you bake it, I highly recommend you use a meat thermometer to make sure the meat has come to temp and is fully cooked. Homemade meatloaf has never been so easy to make.
If you love cooking with the Instant Pot, this Instant Pot meatloaf and potatoes is just the recipe for you. And for a more classic recipe with a sauce, this traditional meatloaf recipe is a delicious fit.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?
If you’d rather skip all of my cooking tips, important cooking info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the meatloaf recipe with oatmeal – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.
MEATLOAF INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED:
- Ground beef
- Large eggs
- Yellow onion
- Ketchup
- BBQ sauce
- Oatmeal – We'll talk about which kind of oats below.
- Seasoned salt
Remember, all of the ingredient amounts you’ll need are in the printable recipe card below.
KITCHEN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT YOU'LL NEED:
13″x9″ casserole or baking dish – I love using this size baking dish to make a big 2-pound meatloaf that will stretch to give our family of five more than one meal.
Large mixing bowl – This makes it easy to just dump in all the ingredients and start mixing.
Meat thermometer – We use ours all the time; it really helps to tell if the meat has come to temp and is fully cooked.
HOW TO MAKE MEATLOAF WITH OATMEAL
You'll need to pre-heat your oven to 350° F, and grease a 13”x9” baking dish.
- Add all of the ingredients, including the ground beef, eggs, minced onion, ketchup, BBQ sauce, oatmeal, and seasoned salt to a large mixing bowl. Mix well using a large fork; or you can just use your hands.
- Once everything’s been mixed together well, transfer the meat mixture to the baking dish, and shape it into a loaf.
- Then an optional step, but one I highly recommend… Squirt ketchup all over the top of the meatloaf.
HOW LONG TO COOK OATMEAL MEATLOAF
Bake the meatloaf at 350° F for about an hour, longer if needed.
Again, a meat thermometer is definitely something I recommend to make sure the meat has come to temp and is fully cooked.
SHOULD I COVER MY 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.
We usually make the BEST meatloaf sandwiches with our leftovers the next day.
CAN I FREEZE MEATLOAF?
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.
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.
WHAT IS THE BEST GROUND BEEF FOR MEATLOAF?
We prefer to use 90/10 ground beef when we're mixing up a meatloaf. In fact, we use 90/10 for pretty much everything.
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 ground turkey for this recipe in place of ground beef. However, it will change the look, texture, and flavor of your finished meatloaf.
CAN YOU SUBSTITUTE OLD-FASHIONED OATS FOR QUICK OATS?
Yes, you can. I've used both old-fashioned oats and quick oats for this meatloaf.
I've even used gluten-free quick oats more recently, 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).
WHAT CAN I SUBSTITUTE FOR OATMEAL?
If you must use something other than oatmeal, you can use bread crumbs or crackers. I've subbed gluten-free saltine crackers in a pinch, and they make a delicious meatloaf.
GOOD SIDE DISHES TO SERVE WITH MEATLOAF
When it’s fully cooked, remove it from the oven; and serve it with sides like 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 GROUND BEEF 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
GET THE PRINTABLE MEATLOAF RECIPE WITH OATMEAL
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Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Oatmeal
Equipment
- Meat Thermometer
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 mixing 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 for about an hour, or longer if needed. 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.
Notes
Nutrition
Update Notes: This recipe was originally published on March 20, 2014, but was updated in November 2020.
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.