I'm a meat girl and always have been. But even so, meatloaf can be a little hard to get excited about. Although meatloaf is a fantastic easy and quick weeknight dinner, it's often taken for granted. I think meatloaf is akin to Bran muffins in the sense that a good one is hard to find. But when you do find the one, it can be life-altering (well, as far as dinner goes, anyway). And trust me, this Old-fashioned Dairy AND gluten-free meatloaf (no egg or milk) is definitely the one! It's a healthy beef meatloaf that's also Weight Watchers friendly. This recipe is 7 WW points.
Meatloaf is popular during the winter because it's pure comfort food, but it's a great meal all year 'round! This meatloaf pairs well with my Chipotle Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Carrots.
🍒Reader Review
"I've been searching for a gluten-free meatloaf for my daughter. This is just delicious. The chili sauce adds a great flavor to the meat. A winner!"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As I said, although this no egg meatloaf is a great make-ahead freezer weeknight dinner, it is easy to take for granted. However, I stopped taking this recipe for granted when I tried some other, not-so-good meatloaves.
Like bad bran muffins, there are a lot of bad meatloaves out there. But this delicious meatloaf is moist and flavorful with just the right balance of tomato. This traditional meatloaf is also the one I grew up on, yet it's still one of my favorite comfort foods.
And for those with food allergies or aversions (such as an egg allergy), it's gluten-free and dairy-free, as it contains no milk or bread. You can throw it together in 10 minutes and either freeze it to cook at a later date (right in the loaf pan) or cook ahead and then freeze it.
🥘Ingredient Notes
Yes! You can make meatloaf without egg or milk because the oats, along with the condiments, serve as the binding agent. The eggs aren't necessary so you don't have to worry about an egg replacement. For this recipe, you will need the following simple ingredients:
- Extra-lean Ground Beef. It's important to use extra lean ground beef. If you don't, the meat will have too much grease, separate, and fall apart (and it will taste greasy - yuck!)
- Quick oats. Quick oats are smaller than old fashioned and create a softer texture. Rolled oats and quick oats are the same thing. *Do not use instant oats - they will turn to mush.
- Dry Mustard. Dry mustard is also called Ground mustard or Mustard powder.
- Chili sauce. I use Heinz Chili Sauce.
- Mushrooms. I use canned mushrooms because they are convenient and economical.
*See recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities
📖 Variations
- Chili Sauce: You can make your own chili sauce if you don't have any store-bought.
- Onions: If you don't feel like chopping onion, you can substitute 1 tablespoon dried/dehydrated onion
- Oats: If you only have old-fashioned oats (which are larger flakes), you can process them and use them (see faq's at bottom of post).
- Mushrooms - you can use canned or fresh mushrooms for this recipe
- Dry mustard - if you don't have dry mustard, you could substitute 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Mini Meatloaves: (photo below) You could make this meatloaf into little meatloaf muffins. Simply pack the meatloaf tightly into muffin tins prepared with a generous amount of non-stick cooking spray, then cook for 30 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before loosing with a butter knife and gently removing
- Parsley - you could substitute Italian seasoning
🔪How to Make Gluten-free Meatloaf (no egg)
Prep: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F M(176 degrees C) and spray a 9X5X3 loaf pan with non-stick spray.
Add ground beef, ketchup, chili sauce, relish, dry mustard, oatmeal, onion, and mushrooms together in a large bowl.
TIP: you can pre-cook the onion in the microwave for 2-3 minutes with a teaspoon of water to ensure it's cooked through. Be sure to drain it through a fine sieve before adding it to the mixture.
Mix well.
Press the meatloaf mixture into a loaf pan with a spatula.
HINT: * You'll need to pack it down so the meatloaf will stick together!
Cooking Time: Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees F/ 176 degrees C (uncovered).*There is NO need to cover it with aluminum foil
Garnish cooked meatloaf with additional ketchup and sprinkle on parsley.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Use a meat thermometer. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This avoids overcooking and ensures juicy meatloaf every time.
- Pack the Meatloaf Tightly. To prevent the meatloaf from crumbling, firmly pack the mixture into the loaf pan. This ensures it holds its shape during baking and slicing.
- Pre-Cook Onions for Better Flavor. If using fresh onions, microwave them with a teaspoon of water for 2-3 minutes and drain well. This softens them and prevents crunchy bits in the finished meatloaf.
- Cool Before Slicing. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes after baking. This helps it firm up and makes it easier to slice without falling apart.
👪 Servings
This meatloaf without eggs recipe makes 8 servings. You can double or triple the recipe by clicking on the serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust. I usually make 2 and freeze 1 for a busy weeknight!
🔢WW Points
This flavorful meatloaf without milk is 7 WW points.
🌡️Storage
You can store leftover meatloaf without egg and milk in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you are just storing it overnight, you can simply cover it with plastic wrap.
It can also be frozen in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
🥗 What to serve with Meatloaf without eggs and milk
If you're not sure what to serve with this easy eggless meatloaf, mashed potatoes are always a great choice! Try my Chipotle Mashed Potatoes for a unique take on plain mashed potatoes!
These Scalloped Potatoes (without cheese) are also a great gluten-free choice, as are Air Fryer Carrot Fries.
Looking for a lower-calorie green dish to go with this Gluten-free Meatloaf? Try my Green Bean and Mushroom recipe or Strawberry Spinach Salad with Pecans! (shown).
❔Recipe FAQ's
Yes! You can prepare the meatloaf mixture, press it into a loaf pan, and freeze it unbaked. When ready to cook, thaw it in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.
Definitely! You can bake the meatloaf ahead, cool it completely, and store it in the fridge or freezer. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
Packing the mixture tightly into the loaf pan and letting it cool slightly before slicing will help it hold together.
Not to worry! If you only have old-fashioned oats you can add a cup to the food processor and pulse them a couple of times to break them down, creating 'quick oats". There will still be some larger pieces, but they should not be a fine powder. Then measure them for the recipe.
So, if you're looking for a really great gluten-free meatloaf that's also dairy-free and has no eggs, then give this one a try. It's a recipe the whole family will love and you won't be disappointed!
🍲More gluten-free and egg-free weeknight dinners!
Comments & Reviews
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📋 Old Fashioned Dairy free and Gluten-free Meatloaf Recipe (no egg and milk)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs extra lean ground beef
- ½ cup gluten-free ketchup
- ¼ cup gluten-free chili sauce *I use Heinz
- 2 tablespoon gluten-free relish
- ½ tablespoon dry ground mustard
- ¾ cup gluten free quick oats
- 10 ounce can of mushrooms drained
- 1 small onion finely chopped
Garnish:
- sprinkle dried parsley
- additional ketchup (about 3 tbsps )
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F M(176 degrees C) and spray a 9X5X3 loaf pan with non-stick spray.
- Add ground beef, ketchup, chilli sauce, relish, dry mustard, oatmeal, onion and mushrooms together in a large mxing bowl.TIP: you can pre-cook the onion in the microwave for 2-3 minutes with a teaspoon of water to ensure it's cooked through. Be sure to drain it through a fine sieve before adding it to the mixture.2 lbs extra lean ground beef, ½ cup gluten-free ketchup, ¼ cup gluten-free chili sauce, 2 tablespoon gluten-free relish, ½ tablespoon dry ground mustard, ¾ cup gluten free quick oats, 10 ounce can of mushrooms, 1 small onion, sprinkle dried parsley, additional ketchup
- MIx well.
- Press meat mixture into a loaf pan with a spatula. * You'll need to pack it down so the meatloaf will stick together!
- Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees F/ 176 degrees C (uncovered).*There is NO need to cover it with aluminum foil
- Garnish cooked meatloaf with additional ketchup and sprinkle on parsley. Wait until its cooled about 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
-
- Use a meat thermometer. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This avoids overcooking and ensures juicy meatloaf every time.
-
- Pack the Meatloaf Tightly. To prevent the meatloaf from crumbling, firmly pack the mixture into the loaf pan. This ensures it holds its shape during baking and slicing.
-
- Pre-Cook Onions for Better Flavor. If using fresh onions, microwave them with a teaspoon of water for 2-3 minutes and drain well. This softens them and prevents crunchy bits in the finished meatloaf.
-
- Cool Before Slicing. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes after baking. This helps it firm up and makes it easier to slice without falling apart.
Robin Ginn
Maybe a silly question, but I want to make this for my daughter as a freezer meal to have after her baby is born. Would you recommend baking then freezing or could I mix, put in loaf pan and freeze for her husband to bake? Their toddler is severely allergic to egg, most oils and anything dairy so this looks like a good food option!
Terri Gilson
Hi- No silly questions! I have only ever baked it first before freezing, so that’s what I would recommend. It reheats really nicely and tastes great. I thaw it then warm it in the microwave! Enjoy!
john kennedy
Perfect for my FIL who has some dietary issues, TY!
Terri Gilson
That's great! Hope he enjoys it....
Eileen Kelly
I've been searching for a gluten-free meatloaf for my daughter. This is just delicious. The chili sauce adds a great flavor to the meat. A winner.
Terri Gilson
Great - I hope you enjoy it, Eileen!
Carlos at Spoonabilities
I really enjoyed reading the story behind this meatloaf recipe. The cookbook is a treasure! I would love to have one from my family but they didn't use a cookbook. The recipes were transferred from person to person. I do have Geoffrey family recipes from Eastern Europe. BTW. The meatloaf looks super delicious and moist!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Carlos! Yes, I am missing so many family cookbooks too - one of many reasons I started this job!
Anne Lawton
Meatloaf is the epitome of comfort food. I love all of the ingredients and that it's gluten free.
Terri Gilson
I agree!
Ariella
Love the texture from the oats in this.