Easy Amish Meatloaf

One of our favorite ground beef recipes is this super easy Amish Meatloaf with oats and tomato juice. This recipe creates a delicious family meal with less than 15 minutes of work.

Recipe For Amish Meatloaf With Oats

My mom is an amazing cook and has spent years perfecting this recipe. Our family’s Amish style Meatloaf is a mixture of ground beef, oats, tomato juice, eggs, onion, salt and pepper. Finish it off with a brown sugar, ketchup and dry mustard glaze for a meal to remember.

The glaze on top helps to seal in moisture during cooking and adds a great flavor.  When meatloaf is moist to begin with it tastes even better the second day after being reheated for leftovers.

Serve this gluten free meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans for a meal the whole family will enjoy!

As farmers we always have beef in our freezer. A few other ground beef recipes that are regularly in our meal rotation are Hamburger & Noodle Casserole, Crock Pot Sloppy Joes and Keto Stuffed Bell Peppers.

We’ve found that the meatloaf is a bit easier to make in a 2 quart or 8″ x 8″ baking dish than in loaf pan.  It cooks a bit more quickly, which can help keep moisture in the meat.

Why This Recipe Works:

• Since this meatloaf is so moist the leftovers reheat well and taste just as good later in the week.
• This is an excellent combination of gentle flavors that creates comfort food our family craves.
• A reader also shared that she loves this traditional meatloaf recipe because it is gluten and dairy free so everyone in their family can enjoy it!
• I like to take leftovers and add a slice of cheddar or Swiss cheese to make an easy sandwich.

When we crave new flavors of meatloaf we enjoy making Taco Meatloaf, Pizza Meatloaf,  Slow Cooker Applesauce Meatloaf or Crock Pot Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf.

Ingredients Needed

• Lean Ground Beef – We like 90% lean ground beef.
• Oats – Quick oats or old-fashioned oats both work, but we typically use quick oats for a bit more gentle texture.
• Eggs – The binding agent that helps the other ingredients stick together in a “loaf”.
• Onion – Adds flavor and is best when finely chopped.
• Tomato Juice – Creates a super moist dish and the tomato flavor pairs well with beef.
• Ketchup – Helps seal in the moisture in the meatloaf as part of the glaze.
• Brown Sugar – Sweetens the glaze.
• Dry Mustard – Helps add depth of flavor to the glaze.

How Long To Cook Meatloaf at 350°F

Two pounds of beef mixed into a meatloaf will cook in an hour at 350°F in an 8 x 8″ baking dish.

Gluten Free Meatloaf

This meatloaf with oats and tomato juice is gluten free if the gluten free oats are purchased.

How to Make Amish Meatloaf

1.  Preheat oven to 350°F and spray non-stick cooking spray into an 8″ x 8″ baking dish.
2. Combine lean ground beef, tomato juice, quick oats, eggs, finely chopped onion, salt and pepper.  Mix gently but thoroughly.
3. In a seperate bowl stir together sauce ingredients and spread sauce over the meatloaf.
4. Bake for one hour.  Drain if needed.  Let rest for 5 minutes.  A digital meat thermometer should read 160°F when inserted into the center of the meatloaf.
5. Store leftovers in the refrigerator or once cooled, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.

Meatloaf Sauce with Brown Sugar

In a small mixing bowl stir together brown sugar, ketchup and dry mustard.

Spread sauce over the meatloaf in the baking dish and bake for one hour.

Drain the meatloaf if needed. When 90% lean ground beef is used draining is typically not necessary.

When is Meatloaf Done Cooking?

Meatloaf is safe to eat and is done cooking when a thermometer inserted in the center of the ground beef mixture reaches 160°F.

Let the meat rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Step By Step Instructions

In a medium or large mixing bowl add full defrosted, raw ground beef. Pour tomato juice over the meat. Stir gently.

Add oats to the bowl.

Crack two eggs in a small bowl and gently beat them. Pour into the bowl with the meat.

Finally add chopped onion and sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over the top.

Use a wooden spoon or another sturdy spoon to mix this recipe up.

Pour meatloaf mixture into a lightly greased 2 quart or square baking dish.

Mix up the glaze and spread over the meatloaf.

Bake uncovered in an oven preheated to 350°F.

The meatloaf is done cooking when a meat thermometer inserted in the center reaches 160°F.

Fresh or Frozen Beef?

We raise cattle on our farm, so we eat farm fresh beef in recipes like this!  All of our beef has been frozen.  Because when we have a cow processed into beef we don’t eat hundreds of pounds of beef in a few days.  So our local meat processor will always package the cuts of meat individually so they can be frozen.

Everyone in our family has an extra chest freezer or upright freezer that we use to store the meat in.  So we always have a variety of cuts of beef on hand!  As long as the meat is wrapped and frozen properly to avoid freezer burn the freshness and flavor is not compromised.  

The beef that we don’t eat is sold through grocery stores, so when you buy meat in the grocery store you are supporting families like ours!

Here are a few other of our favorite recipes using farm fresh beef, or beef purchased at the grocery store.  We hope you enjoy these recipes with ground beef as much as we do!  Applesauce Meatballs, Mexican Casserole, One Pot Beef Goulash, and Hamburger & Tater Tot Casserole.

Other Farmhouse Favorite Recipes:

• Crock Pot Mac & Cheese
• BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
• Farmhouse Stromboli
• Farmhouse Meat Marinade
• Air Fryer Sausage, Peppers & Onions

Originally shared October 13, 2018 with updates made on September 7, 2023.

Shared on Weekend Potluck