If you’re looking for easy gluten free dinner recipes that can do double duty as a lunch or after school snack, you’ll love this  Easy Gluten Free Meatloaf Stuffed with Mashed Potatoes recipe.

My kids love dinner leftovers for breakfast, to take to school as lunch, or to snack on when they get home from school. That’s why this easy gluten free meatloaf recipe is ideal.

First, it comes with it’s own side dish – mashed potatoes – right inside the meatloaf. Then it’s filled with the wholesome goodness of shredded carrots and Bob’s Red Mill oats.

This easy gluten free meatloaf recipe is also convenient and thrifty. That’s because you can use leftover mashed potatoes, make a loaf or two for dinner, and then have leftovers for school (and work) lunch and afterschool snacks the next day.

You can reheat slices of meatloaf or make meatloaf sandwiches. (Don’t forget to serve leftover spicy topping sauce, too!)

Making one big batch of Easy Gluten Free Meatloaf Stuffed with Mashed Potatoes is like having (at least) three meals ready to go.

Not only does this make life easier, but a versatile recipe like this comes in handy when you’re super busy getting into your back to school routine!

How to make Easy Gluten Free Meatloaf Stuffed with Mashed Potatoes

Make sure you use gluten free oats in this easy stuffed meatloaf 

This easy stuffed meatloaf recipe is totally gluten free since it uses Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Quick Rolled Oats.

Did you know that while oatmeal is naturally gluten free, not all brands of oats are certified gluten free? That’s because many brands process their oats on the same machines as wheat and barley.

Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Oats are sourced gluten free, packaged in Bob’s Red Mill’s 100% gluten free facility, and tested every step of the way to ensure their gluten free status.

So there’s no need to worry about gluten contamination in your Easy Gluten Free Meatloaf!

Their oats also provide dietary fiber and can help reduce cholesterol. They also add great flavor to this easy gluten free meatloaf recipe since all of Bob’s Red Mill oats are kiln roasted.

This recipe for gluten free meatloaf uses Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Quick Rolled Oats. Now many people think that old fashioned rolled oats or steel cut oats are healthier than quick cooking oats.

However, the only difference in any type of oatmeal is the way they’re processed.

Rolled oats are rolled flat to produce those flakes you know and love. Steel cut oats are chopped into several pieces for a chewier oatmeal.

Quick cooking oats are flattened and cut more finely than old fashioned oats.

Bottom line, it’s all the same oats with all the same wonderful nutrition.

This Mama’s tips for making stuffed meatloaf with mashed potatoes

You can make your mashed potatoes any way you see fit. (If you use instant mashed potatoes make sure they’re gluten free!)

I make mine from scratch using Russet potatoes. Since I’m dairy free as well as gluten free, I use unsweetened coconut milk and a dairy free buttery spread to my mashed potatoes.

Another dairy free trick is using gluten free vegetable or chicken broth instead of milk.

To save time, buy shredded carrots at the grocery store. Use any leftover carrots on a salad.

If you don’t have fresh basil in the garden, use 1/3 teaspoon dried basil instead.

While I think making up a loaf of two is enough for dinner and lunch or afterschool snacks the next day (depending on how your family eats), why not make three stuffed meatloaves so you can freeze one for later?

My family loves spicy food, so the more sriracha the better.

You can leave the sriracha out of the topping sauce if you wish, add only 1 teaspoon, or add a full tablespoon to this easy gluten free meatloaf recipe!

It’s important to use parchment paper (and not waxed paper or aluminum foil) underneath the rectangle of meatloaf mixture.

First, parchment paper prevents the meatloaf mixture from sticking to the pan. Then you can use parchment paper to help you lift the sides of the mixture to meet in the middle. (Aluminum foil may tear.)

You can cook the stuffed meatloaf right on the parchment paper, which makes cleanup easier. (You can’t cook on waxed paper as it’ll melt and ruin your stuffed meatloaf.)

Finally, after cooking you can lift the meatloaf by the ends of the parchment paper on to a serving platter for a prettier presentation. (Just slide the paper out from under the cooked stuffed meatloaf before serving.)

If you find that your meatloaf splits after cooking, no biggie. Just cover it with a little extra tomato-sriracha sauce before serving. No one will notice – or care – because it’s so delicious!