Gluten-Free Oatmeal Meatloaf Recipe

When you have a gluten intolerance, it can be hard to enjoy the same things as everyone else, such as meatloaf. Whatever your reason is for going gluten-free, you should still be able to enjoy this classic comfort food. This recipe uses oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs, but still tastes like the classic meatloaf that we all know and love. 

Recipe developer Stephanie Rapone of Pantry to Plate Meals came up with this unique gluten-free meatloaf recipe, perfect for anyone with or without a gluten intolerance. "I love that this recipe tastes like real meatloaf, while still avoiding two major allergens. It doesn't feel like you're giving anything up," Rapone shares. "This is a classic weeknight recipe, as it comes together so fast and easy, and gives me plenty of time to make a quick roasted vegetable as a side dish." 

Keep reading to find out how to make this gluten-free oatmeal meatloaf. 

Gather the ingredients for this gluten-free oatmeal meatloaf

You will only need a few ingredients to make this recipe. Aside from lean ground beef, make sure you have a yellow onion, rolled oats, whole milk, garlic powder, horseradish, ketchup, yellow mustard, brown sugar, and kosher salt. "Oats act as the binder in this meatloaf, instead of breadcrumbs or eggs," Rapone notes.

Once you have those things, you can make this gluten-free oatmeal meatloaf.

Mix the wet and dry ingredients

Preheat your oven to 400 F. As you wait for oven to get hot, use the large holes on a box grater to grate the onion to achieve the perfect consistency — this is much easier than chopping.

Then, add the onion in a medium- to large-sized mixing bowl. Go ahead and toss the oatmeal, whole milk, garlic powder, horseradish, ¼ cup ketchup, 1 teaspoon of yellow mustard, and salt into the mixing bowl with the onion. "Using the oats with the whole milk is a nod to panade, which is a great method for keeping meat tender," Rapone shares. Use a fork to combine. 

Then, let the mixture sit for at least 5 minutes.

Make your meatloaf glaze

While the onion mixture sits, take out another small bowl and add your remaining ½ cup of ketchup, 1 teaspoon of yellow mustard, and all the brown sugar. Use a fork to mix well. "The glaze is sweet and tangy at the same time, a great complement to the rich flavor of the beef," Rapone says. 

Then, line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. This will prevent anything from sticking to the pan.

Add the beef and form the meatloaf

Lastly, combine the beef into the onion mixture, and use your hands to incorporate the ingredients together. 

Don't wash your hands just yet. Use them to form 6 mini-meatloaves from the meat mixture. They should be about 1 ½ inches thick and look like a 4x6-inch oval. Plop them on the lined baking sheet and brush the ketchup glaze over the top.

Bake and serve

Pop the mini meatloaves into the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. Toward the end of the cooking time, use a probe thermometer to check the temperature to ensure the meatloaves reach 155 F internally.

After you remove the meatloaves from the oven, let them sit for 5 minutes and serve. "I love to serve this on a weeknight with roasted green beans," Rapone suggests. It would also be great with a side of mashed potatoes. If you happen to have anything left, save it for another meal. "This meatloaf will stay fresh in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days," Rapone shares. "It's perfect to reheat for lunch or dinner later in the week." 

Gluten-Free Oatmeal Meatloaf Recipe
5 from 22 ratings
This guilt-free, gluten-free oatmeal meatloaf will be a crowd favorite to even the most traditional meatloaf lovers.
Prep Time
10
minutes
Cook Time
25
minutes
Servings
6
servings
gluten-free oatmeal meatloaf on plate
Total time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
  • 1 ½ pound lean ground beef
  • ½ white or yellow onion
  • ¾ cup rolled oats
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
  • ¾ cup ketchup, divided
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard, divided
  • 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
  2. Grate the onion using the large holes on a box grater. Add to a medium-large mixing bowl. Add the oatmeal, whole milk, garlic powder, horseradish, ¼ cup ketchup, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, and salt to the onion. Mix well with a fork. Let it sit for 5 min.
  3. While that's resting, combine the remaining ½ cup ketchup, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, and brown sugar well with a fork in a separate bowl.
  4. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  5. Add the beef to the onion and oat mixture and combine with your hands. Form 6 small mini-meatloaves on the prepared baking sheet, about 1 ½ inches thick and 4x6-inches. Brush with the ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar glaze.
  6. Bake at 400 F for 25 min. Check the internal temperature with a probe thermometer to ensure it is cooked to 155 F.
  7. Let rest for 5 min and then enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories per Serving 380
Total Fat 23.9 g
Saturated Fat 8.9 g
Trans Fat 1.3 g
Cholesterol 81.5 mg
Total Carbohydrates 19.6 g
Dietary Fiber 1.5 g
Total Sugars 9.9 g
Sodium 427.0 mg
Protein 21.9 g
The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Rate this recipe