How to Make a Double Batch of Meatloaf and Keep One as an Easy ‘Make-One-Freeze-One’ Meal Prep!
Hi! If you’ve been following me for long you’ll already know this, but for those who are new, welcome to Far From The Farm. I’m Mona, the Brit behind the recipes, learning life and food in the States while sharing our debt-free journey and what’s on the menu in our home today!
Our family is in what feels like a never-ending busy season. Between our commitments, errands, and everything in between, it’s hard to carve out time for slow evenings and cooking everything from scratch.
But eating well still matters to me, and with us being on baby step 2 of our debt-free journey, I’m always watching the grocery budget closely.
That’s exactly why I love this Super Moist Honey BBQ Glazed Meatloaf. It’s hearty, simple, and affordable. I can make two at once – which saves time and stretches every dollar.
It’s one of those practical comfort meals that checks every box: filling, delicious, family-friendly, and freezer-ready.
As a Brit, I’d only ever heard of meatloaf from American TV shows before moving to the States. Now it’s a firm favorite in our home and a dish my husband always looks forward to.
The texture is tender and moist thanks to the oats, and that sweet-and-savory Honey BBQ glaze on top is what makes it irresistible.
To keep our meals low-cost, I usually serve it with easy sides like instant mashed potatoes, canned green beans, or my Brioche Style Crescent Rolls from the blog.
The leftovers are amazing for sandwiches the next day too, another bonus for the budget!
And just a reminder that if you’re struggling and you need help with managing your budget or starting your own debt free journey then here’s some FREE resources below you may find helpful!
living frugally and fully
free tips and resources to make the most of what you have
As always, these photos are from my real kitchen here in our sweet military base home. No staged lighting or spotless marble counters. Just real life and real food made in a small space. Proof that you can feed your family well without needing a dream kitchen or fancy tools!
So roll up your sleeves and hop into the kitchen with me to make this easy Honey BBQ Glazed Meatloaf – one for now and one for later. It’s the ultimate make-ahead meal that keeps your freezer stocked and your family fed!
Equipment
- Bowl
- Knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Freezer bags
- Freezer bag holder
- Sharpie (for labeling your freezer bag)
- 8 x 8 inch glass baking dish
- silicone pasty brush
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Ingredients (makes 2 meatloaves)
For the Meatloaf:
- 3 lbs ground beef
- 4 eggs
- ½ onion, very finely diced (or 1 & ½ tsp onion powder as a swap)
- ½ cup ketchup
- 4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground pepper
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 (10 oz) can condensed tomato soup
For the Glaze (1 meatloaf):
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ cup your favorite BBQ sauce
Freezer Meal Prep
Mix all the meatloaf ingredients together and divide into two portions to freeze separately.
Flatten slightly for even freezing, seal well, and freeze flat.
When ready to use, thaw one meatloaf portion completely in the fridge overnight before baking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
If cooking straight away, skip to Step 2!
Step 1: Thaw your freezer meatloaf bag in the fridge overnight.
Step 2: Shape the meatloaf in your preferred baking dish. I use an 8×8 glass dish lined with foil for easy cleanup.
Step 3: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the shape and thickness of your loaf.
For us in a 8″ x 8″ it’s usually around the full 1 hour 30 minutes as we prefer to cook it at the lower temp of 350°F and have it be still really moist, rather than the higher temps you see in other recipes.
This way it’s utterly delicious and still moist as leftovers!
Step 4: Mix the glaze ingredients together. After 30 minutes of baking, brush half of the glaze over the top.
Step 5: Brush the remaining glaze on 5 minutes before removing from the oven.
Step 6: Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing to help it set and hold together nicely.
We like to serve it simply with sides that also keep the cost of our meal down. Usually that means either with instant mash or one of my homemade easy bread machine crescent rolls and some canned green beans.
Every little saved helps on our debt-free journey!
Notes and Troubleshooting
Notes:
- You can easily adapt this recipe. Swap the BBQ sauce for ketchup or brown sugar if that’s what you have.
- Add a pinch of chili powder or paprika for extra flavor.
- Works great with a mix of beef and turkey too.
Troubleshooting:
- No oats? Substitute 1½ cups of crushed crackers, 2 slices of torn sandwich bread, or 1 cup cooked rice.
- Can you halve the recipe? Yes, though you’ll have half a can of tomato soup left. Try and freeze it in an ice cube tray for next time!
- Meatloaf not firm? Use leaner ground beef or allow it to rest longer before slicing.
Storage
- Cooked meatloaf can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- For freezer storage, wrap cooled slices or the entire loaf tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat covered in the oven until hot throughout.
Serving Ideas
- Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans, roasted carrots, or mac and cheese.
- It’s also perfect on toasted sandwich bread the next day with a bit of extra BBQ sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Family-friendly and comforting
- Makes two meals at once
- Freezer-friendly and budget-smart
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
- That sticky Honey BBQ glaze is unreal
FAQ
Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned?
Yes, quick oats work fine but give a slightly softer texture.
Can I freeze it after baking instead?
Absolutely. Slice it after cooling and freeze in portions for easy reheating.
Can I skip the honey?
You can replace it with brown sugar or maple syrup for a similar glaze texture.
Super Moist Honey BBQ Glazed Meatloaf Freezer Meal Recipe with Oatmeal!
November 9, 2025Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix all the meatloaf ingredients together and divide into two portions to freeze separately.Flatten slightly for even freezing, seal well, and freeze flat.When ready to use, thaw one meatloaf portion completely in the fridge overnight before baking.
- Thaw your freezer meatloaf bag in the fridge overnight.
- Shape the meatloaf in your preferred baking dish. I use an 8×8 glass dish lined with foil for easy cleanup.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the shape and thickness of your loaf.
- Mix the glaze ingredients together. After 30 minutes of baking, brush half of the glaze over the top.
- Brush the remaining glaze on 5 minutes before removing from the oven.
- Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing to help it set and hold together nicely.
Notes
- You can easily adapt this recipe. Swap the BBQ sauce for ketchup or brown sugar if that’s what you have.
- Add a pinch of chili powder or paprika for extra flavor.
- Works great with a mix of beef and turkey too.
Storage
- Cooked meatloaf can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- For freezer storage, wrap cooled slices or the entire loaf tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat covered in the oven until hot throughout.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The Takeaway
Double your effort once and enjoy two dinners later. This Honey BBQ Meatloaf is proof that freezer meals can still be full of flavor.
It’s cozy, thrifty, and the perfect meal for busy families balancing real life on a budget!
What to Try Next?!
Share & Rate This Recipe!
Tried it? Share it with a friend who’s always saying they don’t have time to cook, they’ll thank you for this one!
Last update on 2026-02-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
