Meatloaf is a tried and true favorite, and you’ll love having this easy recipe on hand. The sauce is made with ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar for sweet and savory flavors that are totally irresistible!
Best Ever Meatloaf
Meatloaf is a classic dinner, and this Easy Meatloaf Recipe is one of my all-time favorites!
Now that the holidays are over, we can all take a big breath. But unfortunately, if you have a family — or don’t want takeout every night — you still have to cook dinner.
Introducing my Best Ever Meatloaf Recipe, made with simple components and a 3-ingredient sauce that’s totally delicious!
This version is made with ground chuck, oatmeal, ketchup, whole milk, onion, egg, salt, and pepper.
Yep, oatmeal keeps it moist and helps it all stick together!
And using oatmeal also means that this recipe is gluten-free unlike classically prepared meatloaves made with breadcrumbs.
The base of the sauce one of the best pairs around: ketchup and mustard. With the addition of brown sugar, it’s a delicious combination of both savory and sweet.
Basically, it’s like an elevated hamburger. It has all those scrumptious flavors … and then some!
How To Make Meatloaf:
- Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Then, in a large mixing bowl, combine the oatmeal, ketchup, milk, onion, and egg and let the mixture sit 15 minutes for the oats to soften slightly.
- Add in the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Mix with hands until well combined.
- Shape into a loaf on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 35 minutes.
- While the meatloaf cooks, prepare the sauce by whisking together the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard.
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and spoon the sauce over it, place back in the oven and cook for an additional 20 minutes. Let the meatloaf rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Needless to say, this Easy Meatloaf Recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
Or really, any night when you don’t feel like spending much time in the kitchen.
Plus, Homemade Meatloaf is definitely a family favorite in the making.
Pair it with mashed potatoes and broccoli and you’ll have some pretty satisfying comfort food.
Keep this tried-and-true meal on rotation all winter long. Another thing worth noting is that this recipe is super tasty leftover, too.
You can zap meatloaf in the microwave for lunch or dinner the next day. Or, make an extra “loaf” and pop it in the freezer to reheat in a pinch.
How To Freeze Meatloaf:
One way to freeze meatloaf is to freeze a fully cooked meatloaf without the sauce and warm it up and add the sauce when you need it.
Another way is to freeze the raw meat mixture, then simply thaw and bake when you’re ready as indicated.
If you enjoy meatloaf or you just want something wholesome to feed the family, you’ll love this Homemade Meatloaf Recipe. Make it tonight, and get ready for some rave reviews!
More Beef Dinner Recipes:
Best Ever Meatloaf
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Best Ever Meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- ½ cup 1-minute oatmeal
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 small onion, grated
- 1 large egg
- 1 lb ground chuck
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
Sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, ketchup, milk, onion, and egg and let the mixture sit 15 minutes for the oats to soften slightly.
- Add in the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Mix with hands until well combined.
- Shape into a loaf on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 35 minutes.
- While the meatloaf cooks, prepare the sauce by whisking together the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard.
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and spoon the sauce over it, place back in the oven and cook for an additional 20 minutes. Let the meatloaf rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Glenda Straw says
Sounds so good, gotta make it!
Cynthia Salm Fulton says
Dear Rebecca,
My name is Cynthia. I am 65 years old with brittle Diabetes. I don’t know why I read you everyday, because I don’t cook much anymore. But, you are so cute, I have to see what you are up to today and I thought you might enjoy this story about your Best Ever Meatloaf.
I grew up eating this same meatloaf recipe, but with a two ingredient difference.
Your use of oatmeal instead of bread crumbs is brilliant! (For those of us who must live gluten free)
The other ingredient difference was the addition of a small can of Hun’ts tomato sauce.
Now I’m not looking for product endorsement! You are the Empress of that!
It’s just that the recipe was on the little Hunt’s cann. They had paper labels in those days.
After supper, mother cut the label off the can, and stuffed it right into her huge recipe box. So every time we had meatloaf, we saw the Hunt’s can label, too.
Eventually, I think she cut just the recipe off and glued it to an index card!
My mother was fabulous cook. She would have loved your vlog!
This is just (what I think) is a funny story. I am not seeking to post to anyone except you.
Cynthia 🐳
Rebecca Hubbell says
Even though you don’t cook much anymore, I hope you get a chance to make this recipe! Thank you so much for following along and sharing your story with me, it means a lot! xoxo
Beverly Bender says
Thanks to you my husband is going to love it.