I think there is as many ways to make meatloaf as there are women in this world. LOL. I like mine to taste like meat too but, I remember that the binder used to also be a stretcher for when times were tough for people.
One grandmother used oats and the other used bread crumbs as binders. My mom used crushed saltines!!
One of the GM also put a hard boiled egg in the center and built the "loaf" around it and then when you sliced it you had this purty egg slice in there.
The other GM put a long cheese slice/log in the center for the same effect only with cheese.