Meatloaf is a classic family meal for good reason. It’s easy and delicious! My Lipton Onion Soup meatloaf recipe only requires five ingredients, and everybody loves it!
This simple ground beef dinner is tender, savory and utterly delicious! It’s a perfect weeknight option, and it can easily be made ahead, too. Plus, this easy meatloaf recipe with oatmeal happens to be gluten-free.
It’s hard to believe an easy meatloaf recipe with so few ingredients could pack so much delicious flavor. But, friend, it’s SO good! It may become one of your go-to weeknight dinner recipes, too.
Meatloaf with onion soup mix is savory comfort food at its best. This easy ground beef meal can be prepared in just 5 minutes. Then pop it in the oven for baking.
It’s such a simple meatloaf recipe that you can turn the kids loose to make it.
I add a sweet and tangy brown sugar sauce to this tasty classic meatloaf, but that’s a completely optional step.
Pour it on during the last few minutes of baking so it gets thick and caramelized in the oven. Classic meatloaf has never tasted so good!
The glaze ingredients are pantry staples: ketchup, yellow mustard and brown sugar. Instructions are included in the notes section of the recipe card.
Traditional? Yes, for Me.
Two of the five ingredients in my easy Lipton onion soup meatloaf recipe may seem somewhat nontraditional to you, but I have been making this recipe for 40+ years now.
I can confidently declare that it is traditional for me. I never liked meatloaf as a kid. It was a textural thing. This recipe solves that problem for me.
I can now serve my husband one of his favorite meals without clumps of soggy bread, bread crumbs or big pieces of soft-baked onion. So now I like it, too.
Give this deliciously simple recipe a try! You won’t regret it. I promise you’re going to love this mouthwatering meatloaf recipe and want to put it into your regular meal rotation.
Serve it with my over-the-top delicious Green Beans and Potatoes, and you’ll have a meal fit for a king!
The Ingredients
ground beef
tomato sauce
onion soup mix
eggs
rolled oats
While special condiments or toppings are not required, my family loves a simple sauce that I caramelize on top of our Lipton onion soup meatloaf, during the last fifteen minutes of baking.
The ingredients are pantry staples _ ketchup, yellow mustard and brown sugar. Instructions are included in the notes of the recipe, below.
How Do You Keep Meatloaf from Being Dense?
If you haven’t read many of my posts yet, you’ll soon learn that texture is a HUGE deal to me. lol Like so big, if the texture is wrong, I can’t eat it. I know. There’s probably a group for that.
This classic meatloaf recipe has a beautiful texture! There are no chunks of mushy, soggy or overly soft anything in it. Yet, it is tender and moist without being dense. And it slices well if it’s rested when it comes out of the oven.
In an easy meatloaf recipe with few ingredients, the right texture starts with good quality beef. It needs some fat for flavor and to keep the meatloaf recipe from being too compact. 85/15 is about perfect, though I have made acceptable meatloaves with 90%. Less than 85% gets pretty greasy. More than 90% is just too dry.
Use the best you can afford. This organic grass-fed beef is about $1 more per pound than the conventional ground beef at our local Walmart. While it may not be THE best beef, it is the best we can afford. I’m good with that.
You will add additional moisture to the meatloaf, as well. Those liquid ingredients aren’t just for flavor. So, don’t skip the eggs and tomato sauce.
You could also use things like ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, or even barbecue sauce as substitutes in your onion soup mix meatloaf or to add more moisture if that’s your preference.
The rest of the texture secret for MY classic meatloaf is all down to not overworking the meat.
Use a fork to break up the eggs, giving them a light “whisk” before starting to stir the loaf together. Then, your meatloaf ingredients will be incorporated easily without overmixing.
Mix only until everything is combined. I usually mix with my hands so I can feel that everything is being handled lightly.
Gather the meat together gently. Try not to compress it as you add it to the loaf pan. It will firm up in the oven. I promise!
FAQ’s About Making Meatloaf
What makes a meatloaf fall apart?
Usually it’s because you didn’t add enough binding agents, i.e. eggs, oatmeal, bread or bread crumbs. They are what holds the best meatloaf together and keeps it together. Meatloaf falling apart can also happen if the meatloaf is not rested properly before trying to slice it.
Why is My Meatloaf So Tough?
It was probably overworked in the mixing stage. It’s key to tender, juicy meatloaf to combine the ingredients and then just stop. Don’t pack it or compress it. Keep the mixture loosely formed as you shape it and lift it into the loaf pan.
How Can You Tell if Meatloaf is done?
A meat thermometer inserted into the center of the best meatloaf will read 155° F when it is time to pull it out of the oven. Take it out and allow it to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. The rest time will allow the meat to reach the USDA recommended 160° as it continues to cook from residual heat. This rest period also allows for the redistribution of juices and for the meatloaf to set up more firmly.
Can I make Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf ahead?
Absolutely. Mix it up and store the prepped meatloaf mixture tightly covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Or make it ahead and store it in airtight containers in the freezer for up to four months. Thaw frozen meatloaf in the fridge overnight and then bake as usual.
Onion Soup Mix
The brand of onion soup mix isn’t really important. It’s being added 100% as seasoning. It will go in dry and will meld with the meat as the fats render out during baking. Choose an inexpensive store brand if you don’t need gluten-free. Lipton is good, too, but usually more expensive.
Onion soup mix is an inexpensive and delicious way to develop that savory, umami flavor that makes meatloaf so craveable without having chunks of overly soft onion floating in there.
You can also substitute 4 Tablespoons of my homemade Beef Bouillon powder and 4 Tablespoons of dried minced onions to make your own onion soup mix at home.
Why Oatmeal?
I know oatmeal is NOT traditional in most easy meatloaf recipes with so few ingredients.
But trust me. Oatmeal brings the texture we’re looking for and holds moisture in the meatloaf without getting soggy or being “in your face” with big chunks.
Plus, oatmeal really is becoming more mainstream in meatloaf ingredient lists.
Old-fashioned (Rolled) Oats are my replacement for pieces of milk-soaked bread or bread crumbs in this simple meatloaf recipe.
Quick cooking oats can technically be used, but they disintegrate into the meatloaf, as it bakes, rather than hold the moisture and provide pleasing texture.
Plus, oatmeal is a gluten-free option that everyone at my table is able to eat. Check your labels and be sure yours is certified gluten-free if you need it to be.
Some oatmeal is processed in machinery that also processes wheat. Cross contamination can be a huge problem if you are making a gluten free meatloaf for someone with celiac.
So, if you don’t need your meatloaf to be gluten-free, you can technically substitute bread crumbs for the oatmeal.
Just know it’s hurting my heart a little, though. LOL No, seriously, I’m sad about it. 🙂 But I still love you. You do you. Use what you have on hand or what your family likes best.
How to Make My Classic Meatloaf
Fortunately, there’s no big mystery to making Lipton onion soup meatloaf. It comes together easily and quickly, which is important for busy week nights.
Use your hands to break apart the ground beef into small chunks in your bowl.
Whisk the eggs and tomato sauce together before pouring them into the ground beef. That brings the meatloaf together, easily, without having to overmix.
Add the onion soup mix.
Now, gently use your hands or a fork to mix everything together. You want a nicely homogenized mixture without compressing or compacting it. Mix just until everything comes together.
Loosely shape the ground beef meatloaf mixture into a loaf and place it into the loaf pan. Don’t compress it. It really will firm up in the oven. Just lightly tap and coax it out to the edges of your 10×5 loaf pan. There will be a gap or two. (You can also bake this in an 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan if your loaf pan is too small.Adjust the cooking time since the loaf will be thinner. I would start checking the internal temperature at about 35-40 minutes for the thinner meatloaf.)
Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes. Cook until a meat thermometer registers an internal temperature of 155°.
I add the sauce suggested in the recipe card, below, during the last 15 minutes of baking. This is an optional step, but enhances the flavor of your scrumptious meatloaf even more.
Rest the lipton onion soup meatloaf on a cooling rack for 15 minutes, before trying to slice it or removing it from the loaf pan. (See how that sauce has caramelized on top and around the edges? Delish!)
Then, transfer it to a serving platter. Slice it and enjoy!
The Recipe
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My easy onion soup mix meatloaf recipe will become a weeknight dinner staple. 5 ingredients & 5 minutes of prep. Easy, delicious & kid-friendly! Classic meatloaf never tasted so good!
Ingredients
UnitsScale
2 – 2.5pounds ground beef, lean-ish (80-85% is perfect)
8 oz can tomato sauce
2 eggs
2 envelopes onion soup mix
1cup rolled oats
optional: sauce, condiment or topping of your choice
Instructions
Break apart the ground beef into small chunks, using your hands. Place the pieces into a large mixing bowl.
Whisk the eggs and tomato sauce together, before pouring them into the ground beef. That brings the meatloaf together easily, without having to overmix.
Add the onion soup mix to the bowl, as well.
Gently use your hands or a fork to mix everything together. You want a nicely homogenized mix, without compressing or compacting it. Mix just until everything comes together.
Loosely shape the ground beef meatloaf mixture into a loaf and place it into the pan. Don’t compress it. It really will firm up in the oven. Just lightly tap and coax it out to the edges of your 10×5 loaf pan. There will be a gap or two. (You can also bake this in an 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan if your loaf pans are too small.Adjust the cooking time, since the loaf will be thinner.)
Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes. Cook until a meat thermometer registers an internal temperature of 155°. (If using a square baking pan, start checking for doneness at the 35-40 minute mark. Because it’s thinner, your meatloaf will bake faster than in the loaf pan.)
Add the sauce suggested in the recipe card, below, during the last 15 minutes of baking. This is an optional step, but enhances the flavor of your scrumptious meatloaf even more.
Rest the meatloaf on a cooling rack for 15 minutes, before trying to slice it or removing it from the pan. (See how that sauce has caramelized on top and around the edges? Delish!)
Transfer to a serving platter.
Slice and enjoy!
Notes
Our family loves a saucy topping on meatloaf. Ketchup or barbecue sauce, both work fine, but if you’d like to try what we use, it’s very simple. I mix 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard and 1/2 cup brown sugar to form a sauce. I pour it over the meatloaf during the last 15 minutes of cooking time to let it become thick and caramelized.
This easy meatloaf recipe can be baked in any size pans you like. I’ve done it in an 8×8 or 9×9 and I’ve also used a 9×13 and cut into squares or baked in muffin tins, for individual meat loaves. The thinner your meatloaf mixture is in the pan, the shorter your baking time. So adjust it accordingly.
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:60 minutes
Category:Main Dish, Beef
Method:Baked
Cuisine:American
If you enjoyed this classic meatloaf recipe, I think you’ll like these other minimal prep weeknight dinners, too.
Easy Crock-Pot Roast Beef is five simple ingredients and 5-minutes of prep to get the ENTIRE MEAL into the crock-pot. When you get home in the afternoon, dinner will be ready and waiting!
My Beef Enchilada Casserole recipe is another 5-ingredient dish that will have your taste buds dancing! Be sure to check out this quick and easy recipe, too!
Egg Roll Bowlsare another quick and easy weeknight dinner option.
I believe cooking from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated and that YOU can do it. My simple recipes, tutorials, and cooking tips will help you get weeknight dinners on the table with less stress. Forget takeout or the drive-thru. Let me show you how to make homemade easy. Read more...
This recipe was so delicious! I usually just use ketchup on top but I tried the sauce recipe you shared and I loved it! This will be on my dinner rotation for sure!
My family’s full of meatloaf eaters. We love this recipe! I’ve tried making 3 different ones and this one stands out. Simple ingredients but classy taste!
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I love the addition of oats to this recipe! My mom always made it with rice but I like the oats a lot better. This is so good.
Bri, I’m so glad you’re enjoying it. And I agree, the oats are game-changing.
Anything with a packet of Lipton onion soup just hits! This was so tasty and full of flavor! Love how easy it was to make too!
Katie, I completely agree. So much seasoning and flavor in one little packet!
This recipe was so delicious! I usually just use ketchup on top but I tried the sauce recipe you shared and I loved it! This will be on my dinner rotation for sure!
Vivian, that’s great! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
My family’s full of meatloaf eaters. We love this recipe! I’ve tried making 3 different ones and this one stands out. Simple ingredients but classy taste!
Isabelle, thank you! I’m so happy the recipe is family-approved.
We all loved how delicious this meatloaf turned out! The onion soup elevates the flavors and everything works so well together!
Thank you Kate. I’m glad you’re enjoying the flavor combination!