When I think of comfort food, one of the first meals that comes to mind is meatloaf. But there is one downfall to a traditional meatloaf...it can take over an hour just to bake! What if I told you that this skillet meatloaf with pan gravy takes less than 30 minutes?! It's cooked in a skillet so each piece has those coveted crispy edges and it also has an easy pan gravy that is perfect over top of mashed potatoes as well. I honestly can say that I will never make meatloaf in the oven again...and I don't think you will either!
It starts off just like a traditional meatloaf except instead of forming one large loaf, you are going to make 4 patties and sauté them in a skillet then use those drippings to make a delicious gravy that has onions, and beef broth and tastes like it simmered all day!
I don't know about you, but my favorite part of any meatloaf is the first slice that has that crispy edge. I think that's why I love this recipe. Every piece is so crispy and flavorful. Watch the video below to see how simple it is to make!
CLICK HERE to see my favorite mashed potatoes made with cream cheese and garlic!!
Skillet Meatloaf with Pan Gravy
Ingredients
FOR THE MEATLOAF
- 1 slice of white bread (crust removed)
- 3 tablespoon milk
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 1 small onion (diced very finely and separated into 2 equal piles...about ¼ cup each)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 lb ground beef (Not too lean or it will be dry. I use an 80/20 blend)
FOR THE GRAVY
- 2 tablespoon butter
- Reserved ¼ cup of onions
- 2 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1 and ¼ cup beef broth
- ¼ cup ketchup
Instructions
FOR THE MEATLOAF
- In a large bowl, add your white bread (with crust removed), and the milk. Let it sit while you chop your onion.
- Finely chop your onion and add HALF of it to the bowl. It should be around ¼ cup. Save the other ¼ cup for the gravy. Don't worry if your measurements are not exact...it'll be just fine 🙂
- Add in the beaten egg, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Use a fork and combine everything together so it is one big mushy concoction.
- Add the ground beef to the bowl and combine everything together. Now I hate to say it but your hands are the best tools for this. So take those rings off and dig right in!. Mix it until it's just combined being careful not to over mix the meat or it can get tough.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. I don't add any oil to the pan since the meat will have its own but definitely spray your pan with non-stick spray....yes, even if it's a non-stick pan. If you don't have the spray, just use a tiny bit of oil to coat the pan.
- Once the pan is hot, divide your meat into 4 equal parts and form them into patties with your hands. Add to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes on each side. (TIP: before flipping, spray the tops of the meatloaf with more non-stick spray so that the other side doesn't stick when you flip it over)
- Once cooked, remove the meat from the pan and set them aside on a plate.
FOR THE GRAVY
- In the same hot skillet, add your butter and onions and sauté until the onions are soft. (about 3-5 minutes)
- Once they've softened, add in the flour and cook for just one minute while stirring. I would normally say whisk it but since you are using a non-stick pan, just use a wooden spatula so you don't scrape up your pan.
- After the minute is up, add in your beef broth and stir that until it begins to bubble, then add in the ketchup. Stir to combine it all together and your done! The gravy will thicken as it sits.
Video
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
So meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food -- it's one of those things that if I see it on a menu, I will bypass the big steaks and fanci-fied food for a plate of meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Making them on the stove top makes so much sense! Genius!
Coco and Ash says
Thanks so much Lisa! I'm a big meatloaf fan too 🙂
Sus // roughmeasures.com says
I always remember my mum making meatloaf for us as kids as my brothers loved it!
Cindy Gordon says
It can't get any more comfort food than that! Wow, I know that my mom would swoon over that! Going to surprise her for Sunday Supper!
Coco and Ash says
Let me know if you do! I would love to hear what you think 🙂
Megan Marlowe says
I love meatloaf but have never made a pan gravy to go with it. I'm absolutely doing that next time!
Coco and Ash says
Thank you! I hope you love it!
Sandhya Nadkarni says
So wonderful to have the comfort food ready in a short time. Your skillet meatloaf looks super yummy!
Coco and Ash says
Thank you so much!
Sue Moore says
This sounds yummy. Will have to try it. I don't normally have bread around , so thought I would try it with some Italian style bread crumbs or plain which ever one I have at the time I decide to make it. I also think I will form into meatballs as my grandson loves meatballs. Will have to double up on the gravy too.
Thanks for sharing!! This is an easy fix for during the work week.
***One little correction--a small typo in #3 of the directions, (together so it it one big mushy concoction) I think you meant it is......lol I do this all the time, plus auto correct doesn't help.
Coco and Ash says
Thanks Sue!! I hope you like it! Meatballs sounds like a great idea too! 🙂
Diane Wells says
Making this today! So excited, I love trying something new. Would it be ok to add cooked bell pepper and mushrooms? Thanks
Coco and Ash says
I think those sound like great additions! Let me know how it goes. 🙂
Cassandra says
Tried this tonight, it was very good. I whisked in tomato paste instead of ketchup. Reminded me of salisbury steak, more than a meatloaf though.
Coco and Ash says
SO glad you liked it! Tomato paste would totally work too 🙂
April says
I'll comment since I actually made this recipe. It was very good and well received by my family and preferred over traditional meatloaf. I did double it since I cook for college aged sons. I also left out the onion because onions don't like my husband 🙂 I would definitely make again.
Coco and Ash says
Yay!! I'm so happy you all liked it!!
Cindy says
Incredibly awesome. I doubled the recipe for my larger family and barely had leftovers! Added sugar snap peas and baby carrots on the side for a slight twist on the original! Super recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Coco and Ash says
Thank you Cindy!! I'm so glad you liked it!
Kathy says
We grew up eating this because my dad hated meatloaf! Haha. The only differences in my family recipe is minced garlic instead of powder and no ketchup in the gravy. I always add a little splash of Worcestershire sauce into the gravy as well. Still one of my favorite meals.
Keith says
Do I empty the fat out of the skillet before I make the gravy?
Coco and Ash says
No draining 🙂
Mia says
This was delicious. My husband doesn’t even like meatloaf but he loved this! If you double the recipe (double meat) you need to double the egg milk and bread too right?
Coco and Ash says
Yes it would be doubled. Thank you!!
KENYA SCOTT-DORELUS says
I don't have bread or breadcrumbs can I use flour
Coco and Ash says
I haven’t tried using flour so I can’t say for certain. But cracker crumbs would be good too. Flour might make it a little dense but let me know if you try it!
Megan says
I fixed this for my meatloaf-hating husband and it was a huge WIN!! Thanks so much for such an amazing meatloaf. I used beef and venison 50/50. I've shared it with everyone because I'm convinced this is the greatest meatloaf ever.
Coco and Ash says
Aw thank you! So glad you all enjoyed!
Kristen says
Just tried this tonight! Thank you Mindy it was great 🙂
Coco and Ash says
Yay! Thanks!
Kari says
This sounds wonderful!! I actually just made meatloaf last night, and my mom made gravy, but she didn't use enough of the drippings. I add a LOT more stuff in mine, but this would be a FANTASTIC and quick way to prepare it.
Try adding in sauteed onions, bell pepper, and garlic (deglazing the pan with a bit of Worcestershire sauce) [or use leftover roasted veggies] and replace half the ground beef with Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage (I love using spicy). MMMMMMM GOOOOOOOD.
I'm 100% using this pan method next time I make meatloaf. SOUNDS SOOOOOOOOO GOOD AND EASY, and this is probably how I'm going to reheat my leftovers today!
Coco and Ash says
Thanks Kari! It can definitely be used with any meatloaf variation 🙂
Kindra J Gunn says
Great meatloaf recipe. My family absolutely loves it. Thank you for sharing it. I added baby bella mushrooms to the gravy. Just delicious !!!
glendys serra says
This dish was so delicious, and the gravy was a great complement. Best of all, it was so much easier than your traditional meatloaf. I added mushroom to the gravy and it turned out great. I definately will be making this again!
Sherry R DeHaven says
Could I use wheat bread instead of white ?
Perfect for two as a dinner. Thanks ! BTW I'm taking for a lunch
Coco and Ash says
Absolutely!
Alaina says
I'm not a great cook by any means, but this was a tasty, easy to follow recipe with a wonderful turn out and very filling!
liz says
well these were delightful. i've been craving meatloaf but completely lacking in the motivation/patience to construct and cook a traditional one, so this was absolutely perfect. i used ground bison instead of beef, because that's what i had on hand; and swapped some of the ketchup for barbecue sauce, but other than that followed the recipe, and got two dinners for our two-person household out of it~
Patricia says
I started out making this recipe but after the first time, my husband has taking on making this our #1 OH MY GOODNESS FAVORITE dinner! We tried it a couple of times ago with turkey meat because it was all we had thawed out.... and it was FABULOUS! Add some rice (or homemade mashed potatoes) and wonderful. We've made this about 10 times - and sometimes for company. Every dinner has turned out YUMMY! Thank you
Sarah says
Hi i made thiis, unfortunately it came out tough although i know how to make good meatloaf like you I encountered a heqlth issuse while cooking. The gravy would hqve been good but i only had chicken broth used instead with worshirer sauce for color so idk i just made it sat down and ate it hope i do better next time. Thanks alot for your recipe tho.