Classic Meatloaf with Oatmeal (2024)

American Mains
Main Dishes
Beef Recipes
Ground Beef Recipes

Kristina Vanni

An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.

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Updated on 06/30/22

Tested by

Colleen Graham

Tested byColleen Graham

Freelance writer and co*cktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 70 mins

Rest: 15 mins

Total: 100 mins

Servings: 8 servings

Yield: 1 meatloaf (8 slices)

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This classic meatloaf with oatmeal recipe is an easy recipe that is quick to assemble. Here, quick-cooking rolled oats are used as a filler to help keep the texture of the meatloaf light and to help retain the moisture of the meatloaf so it doesn't become dry. Quick-cooking oats are ideal because they are finer than old-fashioned rolled oats which would add too much texture to the dish. Do not use steel-cut oats in a meatloaf, since they will remain hard and inedible.

Meatloaf tastes great when served alongside buttery mashed potatoes and your choice of green vegetable such as string beans. Any leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. It is common to transform leftover meatloaf into a delicious meatloaf sandwich the next day.

How Long Should You Cook Meatloaf?

"This is a solid, basic meatloaf recipe. Oatmeal is an interesting filler instead of breadcrumbs. Preparation is straightforward, and the ingredients are mostly kitchen staples. The meatloaf was moist and held together nicely. The glaze was tasty and quick to make, too. Next time, I’ll increase the spices to give it even more flavor." —Colleen Graham

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

For the Meatloaf:

2 pounds ground beef
3/4 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup milk
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
See Also
Meatloaf Recipe with Oatmeal - The Seasoned Mom
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder

For the Glaze:

1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon yellow mustard

Steps to Make It

Gather the ingredients. Preheat oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl combine the ground beef, quick-cooking rolled oats, onion, milk, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Use your hands to combine. Do not overwork.
Transfer to a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Smooth out the surface at the top.
In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard until smooth.
Spoon half of the glaze over the meatloaf.
Bake (uncovered) for about 1 hour.
Remove the meatloaf from the oven and tilt the pan to drain off the grease. Spread the remaining glaze on top and return to the oven for 10 more minutes, or until meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160 F.
Let stand on a wire rack for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Tips

When making meatloaf, do not overmix or overwork the meat, otherwise the final product can become tough and dry.
Meatloaves prepared in a loaf pan have a uniform shape and look great when sliced. However, you might need to drain off excess grease that may accumulate while the meat is cooking.
Freeform meatloaves are shaped by hand and cooked on lined a baking sheet. This option allows the grease to flow from the meat while it is cooking.
Exercise caution when pouring the grease out of the pan. Hot grease can cause severe burns.

Recipe Variations

You can swap the oatmeal for a heaping 1/2 cup of dry breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs.
Boost the flavor by doubling up on the garlic and onion powders, adding 1/2 teaspoon of oregano or parsley, or a few cloves of finely minced garlic.
Switch from ketchup to chili sauce—not the spicy kind but the sort found near the ketchup. Use it alone or mixed with the mustard and brown sugar.
Try topping the meatloaf with barbecue sauce instead of the glaze.

How to Store and Freeze

Wrapped properly, the cooked meatloaf will stay fresh in the refrigerator for at least 2 to 3 days.
Meatloaf leftovers freeze well and can be reheated for a wholesome and delicious meal later on.
Once the meatloaf is fully cooked, allow to cool completely. Wrap the meatloaf in plastic wrap or slice into desired sizes and wrap the individual slices. Place in a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container. Be sure to clearly label with the name of the recipe and the date frozen. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When ready to reheat frozen leftover meatloaf, thaw the individual piece or pieces overnight in the refrigerator. Place on a microwave-safe plate and heat in the microwave until warmed through.

What Is the Best Beef for Meatloaf?

One of the secrets to moist meatloaf is to use meat with a good amount of fat. Save lean beef for other dishes and use ground beef with 80 percent meat and 20 percent fat (often called 80/20) in meatloaf for the best results.

Why Does Meatloaf Fall Apart?

There are a few factors that cause meatloaf to fall apart. Too much filler (the oatmeal in this recipe) and vegetables that aren't finely chopped are two common issues. Dry meatloaf will also fall apart and that can be caused by working the meat or compressing the loaf too much or overcooking the meatloaf.

Scrumptious Leftover Meatloaf Recipes

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
403	Calories
22g	Fat
15g	Carbs
35g	Protein

Show Full Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories	403
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22g	28%
Saturated Fat 8g	41%
Cholesterol 149mg	50%
Sodium 580mg	25%
Total Carbohydrate 15g	6%
Dietary Fiber 1g	5%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 35g
Vitamin C 2mg	11%
Calcium 85mg	7%
Iron 4mg	22%
Potassium 610mg	13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

meatloaf recipe with oatmeal
meatloaf
ground beef
old fashioned meatloaf

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