Grandma’s Quaker Oats Meatloaf Recipe

Grandma’s Quaker Oats Meatloaf is a classic meatloaf recipe with oatmeal instead of bread crumbs and other simple ingredients. Easy comfort food and a delicious dinner the whole family will love!

Grandma’s meatloaf recipe with oats instead of bread crumbs or cracker crumbs is simple and delicious. The best thing about this easy recipe is I almost always have the ingredients on hand.

I always have dry oats in the pantry for breakfast and baking. So, if I’m out of soup mix or stuffing mix or bread, I use oatmeal instead.

Oatmeal Meatloaf Recipe Ingredients

You should be able to find these simple ingredients in your grocery store or online. The full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.

• Lean ground beef — An 80/20 mix works best. Extra lean beef can result in dry meatloaf. You can sub ground turkey or ground chicken for beef.
• Large eggs — to help bind the mixture together
• Oats — I use quick-cooking oats, but old-fashioned rolled oats work just as well. Grandma used Quaker rolled oats in her meatloaf, but any brand works.
• Ketchup — for classic tomato flavor. You can sub a small can of tomato sauce or tomato juice for the ketchup.
• Worcestershire sauce — adds flavor. You can sub soy sauce.
• Onion — for flavor. You can sub 1 tsp onion powder if you like.
• Garlic — I use garlic cloves here, but garlic powder will work.
• Salt and black pepper

How to Make Quaker Oats Meatloaf Recipe

First, beat the eggs in a large mixing bowl. This cuts down on mixing time and helps prevent over mixing.

Then, add the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl.

The best way to mix the meatloaf is with your hands. It’s messy, but it’s another way to prevent you from mixing the meat too long.

You will be able to feel the meat mixture come together. When it does, you are ready to form the loaf.

Place the ground beef mixture into baking dish. I use a 9×13 pan covered with foil. If you have a special meatloaf pan (there’s no need for one) you can use that.

Shape meatloaf mixture into a meat loaf about 1 1/2 – 2 inches thick. This helps the loaf cook evenly. I usually use extra ketchup for a simple glaze.

You can add a little brown sugar for a sweeter glaze if you like.

Cooking Time

Cook the meatloaf in a preheated oven for 1 hour, uncovered. The internal temperature should be 160 degrees according to a meat thermometer. Be sure to place it on the middle rack for best results.

Best Side Dishes

We love to serve meatloaf with peas or green beans and creamy mashed potatoes. Or try a few of the best side dishes for meatloaf.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Refrigerate leftover meatloaf in an airtight container for up to 4 days. If you have it on a serving platter, you can cover it with plastic wrap.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave or turn leftover slices into the best leftover meatloaf sandwich. It is always better the next day!

Expert Tips for Perfect Meatloaf

Use an 80/20 ground beef mix for best results.

Beat the egg first, and avoid over working the meat when mixing. This will help give you a tender meatloaf.

To soak up extra fat, place a slice or 2 of fresh bread under the loaf as it cooks. Be sure to discard the bread when serving!

If the top of the meatloaf is getting too brown, you can tent it lightly with foil.

Always let the baked meatloaf rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. You will get cleaner slices this way.

More Easy Meatloaf Recipes

Next time, try my Mom’s Lipton Onion Soup Mix Meatloaf. It’s the best meatloaf! Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf is the easiest meatloaf recipe ever! You can also make meatloaf with tomato sauce or Italian meatloaf with Italian sausage and ground beef. Try the Italian meatloaf muffin version, too. Kids love my cheesy BBQ meatloaf with bbq sauce and BBQ meatloaf muffins. If you have a pressure cooker, make Instant Pot meatloaf.

I hope you enjoy this delicious meatloaf as much as my family does. For more easy recipes with ground beef and other recipes your family will love, sign up for the weekly newsletter and follow me on social media.