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.
Hi there…this meatloaf sounds amazing! I’ve never made meatloaf with oats before. On top of oats being a bit healthier, do the oats also make it more juicy? Plus, if I use more towards the 2 cups of oats, will that make it more dry?
Catherine, thank you! I haven’t found that 2 cups makes it dry at all; in fact, I think the oatmeal helps it to be more moist, as long as I follow the other ingredient measurements.
Hi .. wanted to check about the oatmeal measurement … 1/2 cup or 1-2 cups? Wanted to be certain.
Thanks!
Hi Linda, it’s 1 to 2 cups, depending on your mixture.
Oatmeal meatloaf to me is the best tasting meatloaf. I am NOT a fan of breadcrumbs. My son the fine dining chef will not allow me to use ketchup, too much sugar and sub-par ingredients. So I compromise by using a cup of jarred chili sauce. Or canned tomatoes or even V-8 juice. I put chili sauce on top , sometimes over a thin layer of brown sugar.
My all time favorite meal, with potatoes of any sort and peas. Aahhh.
Mmmm, Valerie, I need to try chili sauce. That would definitely be healthier than ketchup. Yes, I love meatloaf with potatoes and veggies. One of my favorite meals. Thank you!
Hi.
This looks delicious.
What ratio of ground beef do you use? 80/20 or lean?
Thank you.
Priscilla, we usually use a 90/10 ratio. Thank you!
I made this tonight and it was delicious! I will definitely put this recipe in my cookbook. Thank you!
Yay! Barbara, thank you! I feel honored to have my recipe added to your cookbook. Thank you!
Again and again you say to use a meat thermometer. BUT you did not tell us what temp . Any suggestions as to what temp the meatloaf should reach to be done?
Hi Jacki, according to FoodSafety.gov, the minimum temp should be 160°F. I’ll actually add this in, I apologize for missing that important detail.
Ummmmmmmm……..actually that WAS my Momma’s meatloaf recipe. LOL
Angie, LOL!
This is some good looking meatloaf! I am one of those people that usually makes my meatloaf with all the rando things I have in the cabinet – oats included. Totally trying this recipe!
Thank you, Heather! We’ve been known to do the same thing… I can’t wait to try your meatloaf sandwich the next time we make a meatloaf.
You don’t think adding either oatmeal or/breadcrumbs could make the loaf a bit dry?
Tony, actually, quite the opposite. The meatloaf has really never been too dry. But then again, it might depend how long you keep it in the oven.
YUM! This is similar to how I make meatloaf – oatmeal is so good in it. I also like to add breadcrumbs with the oatmeal.
Mmmm, Beeb, I bet the breadcrumbs taste really good with the oatmeal. I may have to try that next time.
The breadier the better, in my opinion! :) I like to slice it up and freeze it for sandwiches. Yum! I love your photos, that’s the most photogenic meatloaf I’ve ever seen!
Beeb, thank you so much! I have the hardest time photographing both ground beef and chocolate. I worked and worked with the meatloaf to try and get good images. lol
Beef is SO HARD to photograph!! For me, I’d say it’s beef and casserole that are the two most challenging, lol! You did a great job. :)
Oh casseroles, yes! Thank you so much.