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This meatloaf with oatmeal is sure to become a family-favorite. Made with onions, ground beef, and simple spices, it’s hearty, wholesome, and so comforting.
If you’ve never tried making meatloaf with oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs, you and your whole family are in for a treat. Not only does it up the “health factor” of your loaf with a bit of fiber, but it also creates such a wonderful texture. But don’t worry, we’ve kept in line with tradition when it comes to slathering the top with ketchup…
Using Oatmeal to Bind a Meatloaf
In this recipe, you’ll use quick-cooking oats instead of breadcrumbs to bind the meatloaf together. But what exactly does oatmeal bring to the table? It keeps the texture of the meatloaf nice and light, while also preventing it from drying out.
How to Prepare Meatloaf with Oatmeal
To make this meatloaf, all you need to do is combine all the ingredients and transfer them to a pan. The oven will do all the heavy lifting from there!
- Make the Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the lean ground beef, dice onion, quick oats, milk, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, sea salt, and garlic powder.
- Form the Meatloaf: Next, line a loaf pan, baking dish, or baking sheet with foil and transfer the meat mixture into the pan, using your hands to shape it into a loaf. Spread a generous amount of ketchup on top.
- Bake the Meatloaf: Bake the meatloaf at 375°F for 45 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the loaf from the pan and enjoy!
Helpful Tips for the Best Meatloaf with Oatmeal
While meatloaf is one of the most straightforward recipes out there, a couple of tips will help you nail it.
- Give the meatloaf mixture 10 minutes to marinate. After you mix all the ingredients together, give them about 10 minutes to sit. This will significantly help in developing a nice depth of flavor.
- Line the meatloaf pan. To prevent sticking, line the pan with foil. Leave a little bit of the foil free on the edges to help you lift the loaf out of the pan easily.
- Allow the meatloaf to rest before slicing into it. Give the meatloaf at least 10 minutes to rest when it comes out of the oven. This will help lock in the juices and make the meatloaf that much more delicious.
- Swap in your favorite ground meat. If you’re not a huge fan of ground beef, swap in a combination of ground pork, ground turkey, or ground chicken.
Serving Suggestions
If you wanna keep it classic, serve the meatloaf alongside creamy mashed potatoes, cheesy bread, and green beans or air fryer broccoli. If you’re feeling extra decadent, use your leftovers to make meatloaf sandwiches the next day.
Storing, Freezing, & Reheating Meatloaf with Oatmeal
- Storing: To keep leftover meatloaf on hand for up to a week, keep it stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. This will keep the meat and oatmeal from drying out in a colder temperature.
- Freezing: To freeze the meatloaf, first allow it to cool down completely first. Next, wrap the meatloaf tightly in plastic wrap and transfer it to a freezer safe storage bag for up to 3 months.
Reheating Tip: The best way to reheat the meatloaf is back in the oven covered with foil. If you’d like to hydrate it a bit more, slather on some more ketchup and remove the foil with a few minutes of baking left.
FAQ
Can you use steel cut oats in meatloaf?
Avoid using steel cut oats for meatloaf, as they add a bit too much texture. Quick cooking oats work best, as they dissolve nicely into the meatloaf as it bakes.
Why is it important to add milk to meatloaf?
Adding milk to meatloaf is a crucial step to keep it nice and moist. Not only does it help soften up the oats or breadcrumbs, but it also creates a subtle creaminess.
How do you prevent meatloaf from turning out too greasy?
To prevent your meatloaf from coming out too greasy, you need to use lean ground meat. Typically, 85% and higher is your best bet.
What else can you bake on top of meatloaf besides ketchup?
If you don’t like to slather your meatloaf in ketchup, you can spread BBQ sauce on top instead. Or, you can create your own glaze by combining brown sugar, mustard, tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl and slathering it right on top.
More Meaty Recipes to Try
- Chicken Roulade (The Best) – Slavic-style meatloaf with hardboiled egg
- Dutch Oven Pot Roast – A hearty and tender chuck roast with carrots, mushrooms and onions
- Turkey Meatloaf – Swap the beef for turkey in this classic meatloaf
- Chicken Loaf – Meatloaf with ground chicken
- Classic Russian Kotleti (Meatballs) – Slavic ground chicken meat patties
- Oatmeal Meatballs – Classic meatballs with oatmeal
Recipe
Meatloaf Recipe with Oatmeal
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Servings
6 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
This meatloaf with oatmeal features tender beef seasoned with simple spices. Slathered with ketchup, it’s baked to perfection tastes incredible!
Ingredients
- 2 lb ground beef 85% lean or leaner
- 1 small onion diced
- 3/4 cup uncooked quick oats
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup ketchup
US Units – Metric
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients together except for the ketchup. Allow the mixture to rest for 10 minutes at room temperature to meld the flavors together.
Line a loaf pan or baking sheet with foil. Transfer the meat mixture into the pan with your hands, shaping it into a loaf.
Spread the ketchup over the loaf and bake it at 375°F for 45 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Remove the meatloaf from the pan and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing into it. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Meatloaf Recipe with Oatmeal
Amount Per Serving
Calories 508 Calories from Fat 297
% Daily Value*
Fat 33g51%
Saturated Fat 13g65%
Trans Fat 2g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 14g
Cholesterol 164mg55%
Sodium 955mg40%
Potassium 685mg20%
Carbohydrates 22g7%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 31g62%
Vitamin A 322IU6%
Vitamin C 4mg5%
Calcium 82mg8%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted May 10, 2022
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MelMar 20, 2024 Made this for my family tonight and it was a win! I have been in a cooking rut for a while and have literally been praying for the Lord to help me think of meals that would be good for my family and of course meatloaf just popped into my head yesterday then, found your recipe today and made a double batch for our large family. Tonight my husband asked the kids for a vote if this was the best meal we have had in a year and they all said, “yes!” Thanks for this new fav recipe!
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 20, 2024 Hey Mel, I'm so glad this recipe was a blessing to you and your family! Thanks for taking the time to share this, and I hope you try some more of our recipes!
DonnaMar 8, 2024 I’m making it tonight. I have it in the oven now I remember my mother making meatloaf when I was growing up and she used oats in her recipe. It was so good. I’m making homemade mashed potatoes to go with it.
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 8, 2024 Sounds like a perfect, comforting meal! Thanks for sharing Donna, and I hope you enjoy your dinner!
JapFeb 7, 2024 I loved it
Delicious
Thanks for postingNatalya DrozhzhinFeb 7, 2024 Hey Jap, Thanks for letting us know you loved it!
BernSep 8, 2023 Very disappointed! Meatloaf was bland. It needed more salt.
TrishaSep 27, 2023 Ummm ... All recipes are for you to add or take out whatever ingredients you like or don't like.
Did you really think he couldn't add anything?
Natalya DrozhzhinSep 8, 2023 Hi Bern, I'm sorry this recipe didn't meet your expectations. I always encourage people to season to taste!
MelissaSep 8, 2023 Great recipe I’ve made in smaller loaf, pans and mixed everything up all at once substituting with onion soup, eliminating the salt and chopped onions. Sometimes I add honey or honey mustard to the catch-up. I buy smaller loaf pans, freeze it uncooked wrap it in foil, then throw it in freezer bags, label with date on bag and it stays well and giving it to neighbors like that… they love it freezing it uncooked. The next day it’s delicious especially, when you go on a boat and make it into a sandwich. !!
Natalya DrozhzhinSep 8, 2023 Hi Melissa, That's so thoughtful to make smaller portions - perfect for sharing!
KimSep 5, 2023 45 minutes is not long enough to get this 2lbs meat loaf done. I added a good 30 minutes or more. It is good and we do like it.
Natalya DrozhzhinSep 5, 2023 Hi Kim, Thanks for the feedback! I'm happy to hear you enjoyed the meatloaf.
BenitaMay 8, 2023 I love this recipe! I added a cup of chunky picante sauce and onion powder instead of chopped onion to the mix and let it sit the 10 minutes before baking. That added onions and peppers and tomatoes, and made it so juicy! My family loves it!
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 8, 2023 Hi Benita, I am thrilled that this recipe was a success. I love how you put your own spin on it! Thank you for sharing your process and feedback with me! Enjoy!
colleenMay 1, 2023 Delicious! I added Ketchup to the meat; came out great!
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 1, 2023 Hi Colleen, I am so glad that the recipe was a success. Thank you for sharing your feedback with me. Enjoy it, dear!
MadisenApr 17, 2023 So I haven't tried the meatloaf yet but I will say that I would recommend being specific about not adding the ketchup to the meat because I added the ketchup not realizing it was for the top until later. So hopefully it turns out ok 😅
Natalya DrozhzhinApr 18, 2023 Hi Madisen, I am sorry for the confusion! Thank you for sharing your feedback with me. Dont worry, It will still turn out very tasty!
DianaMar 23, 2024 Did it turn out ok. I did the same thing 🤪
ClaudineDec 9, 2022 I added a packet of beefy lipton onion soup mix and got rave reviews!
Natalya DrozhzhinDec 9, 2022 Hey there Claudine, That sounds like it turned out amazing! Thank you for sharing! Enjoy!
Mrs.ONov 13, 2022 Simply delicious! Would not change a thing!! Easy and tasty!
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 14, 2022 Hi There! Thank you so much for your feedback! Enjoy!
Nicki HammondsOct 21, 2022 1. Step one says to put all ingredients into a bowl.
2. Step two says to pour the catsup over top of meatloaf before baking.???Does that mean include the catsup in step one and add extra catsup over the top in step two?
- - - - - - - - OR - - - - - - -
???Does that mean leave the meatloaf out of step one and save the entire cup of catsup to pour over the top of meatloaf in step two?Natalya DrozhzhinOct 21, 2022 Hi Niki, Thank you for the great questions! You would slather the ketchup on the raw meat and bake it in the oven. I do not use leftover ketchup after the meat is baked, because I use all of it right away. Hope this clears things up. thank you for reaching out!
Nicole LNov 8, 2022 I think the original poster was pointing out how step 1 is to add all the ingredients, including ketchup, but step 2 is to put the ketchup on top before baking. I just came upon the same problem, as I mixed the ketchup into the ground beef mixture.
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 9, 2022 Hi Nicole, Thank you for bringing that up! I will be sure to fix that! Thank you for your feedback!
PamelaAug 18, 2022 This recipe calls for 2 lbs of ground beef, but also calls for a 1 lb loaf pan? I clicked on the highlighted "loaf pan", and it takes me to an Amazon 1 lb loaf pan.
????Natalya DrozhzhinAug 18, 2022 Hi Pamela- a 1lb loaf pan is the standard size, usually the dimensions are 8.5 x 4.5 inches. The weight of 1lb is a reference more so for things like bread dough that will grow while baking, but rest assured your meatloaf should fit into a standard sized loaf pan! A 9x5 inch loaf pan would work as well. I hope this helps. 🙂
