Incredibly Tasty Traditional Meatloaf Recipe with Oatmeal Is The Best! (2024)

This easy, wholesome meatloaf with oatmeal may be an old-school recipe, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still amazingly delicious! Tender ground beef is blended with seasoning and oats, then baked with a classic ketchup glaze- the perfect traditional meatloaf.

I love to serve it with creamy mashed potatoes and a side of buttery peas or roasted brussels sprouts!

I love meatloaf! It’s a classic way to use ground beef and it’s always hearty and delicious! This vintage meatloaf with oatmeal recipe is a tasty take that reminds me of Grandma’s meatloaf!

It’s simple and no fuss, but there’s no shortage of flavor. The meat is seasoned with my amazing meatloaf seasoning – so you know it’s good!

Meatloaf with oatmeal is such a breeze to make! It only takes a few minutes to prep; then pop it in the oven.

It’s a mostly hands-off recipe that comes together quickly and always satisfies! Serve it with your favorite sides, and you have an amazing dinner!

🥘 Ingredients

Easy, wholesome meatloaf with oatmeal uses simple ingredients to make a dinner you will adore! Make sure you’re using quick oats so they blend and cook into the meatloaf well!

• 2 pounds Ground Beef – I prefer ground chuck for this recipe, but you can also use a ground beef/ground pork combination.
• 1 ½ cups Quick Oats – Oats are an old-school addition to meatloaf that makes it super wholesome and filling. Be sure to use quick oats and not old-fashioned or steel-cut oats, because they won’t soften or blend into the meat as well. If you prefer, you can use plain breadcrumbs instead of oats.
• ½ cup White Onion – The onion should be finely diced or grated so it incorporates into the meat well. I prefer white onion, but you can use yellow onion here, too.
• 3 large Eggs – Eggs are the binder for this meatloaf recipe! I recommend beating the eggs before adding them to the meat mixture (*See Tips & Recipe Notes).
• 1 tablespoon Meatloaf Seasoning – You can use my quick and tasty recipe or use 1 packet of store-bought meatloaf seasoning mix.
• ⅓ cup Ketchup – This will be mixed in with the meat mixture, but use more if you like to top the meatloaf with a ketchup glaze!

*Be sure to see the recipe card below for ingredients, amounts & instructions!*

🔪 How To Make Meatloaf

I love how easy this meatloaf recipe is, it whips up in 5 simple steps and is perfect for any occasion! There are directions for an optional ketchup glaze if you desire (I highly recommend it)!

1. Prep. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, lightly grease a 9x5 loaf pan, or line a rimmed baking sheet, with paper. Finely dice or grate ½ cup white onion (about 1 medium onion or ½ a large onion).
2. Make the meatloaf mixture. In a large mixing bowl, add 2 pounds ground beef, 1 ½ Cups quick oats, ½ cup prepared white onion, 3 large eggs (beaten), 1 tablespoon meatloaf seasoning, and ⅓ cup ketchup. Mix the meat mixture with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix!
3. Shape the loaf. Transfer the meatloaf mixture to your prepared loaf pan, then shape it so that the loaf is mounded at the top. Alternatively, you can transfer the loaf mixture to your prepared baking sheet and form it into a loaf approximately the same size as a loaf pan (9x5-inch).
4. Bake your meatloaf. Place the meatloaf in the center of your oven’s middle rack and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50 minutes. Then, remove the meatloaf from the oven and coat with an additional ⅓ cup of ketchup or BBQ sauce if desired. Return the meatloaf to the oven and finish cooking for an additional 10 to 20 minutes. The meatloaf will be done when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
5. Finish, rest, and serve. When your meatloaf is done, remove it from the oven and drain off excess grease. Then, allow your meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Take a look at some great side dish ideas for meatloaf.

💭 Tips & Notes

• Egg Beating Technique: Beat the eggs before adding them to the meat mixture. This prevents the meat from becoming tough and overmixed, ensuring easier and quicker incorporation of the eggs.
• Flavor Enhancements: Worcestershire sauce is a key ingredient in meatloaf for added flavor. Alternatively, consider adding balsamic vinegar or soy sauce for an extra flavor boost.
• Seasoning Alternatives: If you're out of meatloaf seasoning packets or ingredients for homemade seasoning, use this simple mix: 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon paprika (or smoked paprika), ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, and ½ teaspoon onion powder.
• Gluten-Free Option: To make the recipe gluten-free, use quick oats that are specifically labeled as gluten-free, as regular oats may be cross-contaminated with gluten.

🥡 Storing & Reheating

For leftovers, wrap the meatloaf well with aluminum foil or store it in an airtight container, and it will last for about 3 to 4 days.

You can also freeze either a whole cooked meatloaf, or leftover meatloaf slices! Wrap the cooled meatloaf well with plastic cling film, then place in a heavy-duty freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months!

Defrost any frozen leftovers overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

The oven is my favorite way to reheat without drying it out. Preheat your oven to 250°F (121°C) and place the leftovers into a baking dish.

Add a splash of water or broth to the dish, then cover with a lid or aluminum foil. Reheat in your oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the center is at least 165°F (74°C).

❓ FAQ

😋 More Tasty Meatloaf Recipes

• Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
• Stove Top Meatloaf
• Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
• Smoked Meatloaf
• Air Fryer Meatloaf

📖 Recipe Card

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