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 tbsp milk
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 1 small onion (diced very finely and separated into 2 equal piles...about 1/4 cup each)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 lb ground beef (Not too lean or it will be dry. I use an 80/20 blend)
FOR THE GRAVY
- 2 tbsp butter
- Reserved 1/4 cup of onions
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 and 1/4 cup beef broth
- 1/4 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 1/4 cup. Save the other 1/4 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
41 Comments
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
January 31, 2017 at 3:05 pmSo 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
January 31, 2017 at 3:12 pmThanks so much Lisa! I’m a big meatloaf fan too 🙂
Sus // roughmeasures.com
January 31, 2017 at 3:32 pmI always remember my mum making meatloaf for us as kids as my brothers loved it!
Cindy Gordon
January 31, 2017 at 4:49 pmIt 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
January 31, 2017 at 6:13 pmLet me know if you do! I would love to hear what you think 🙂
Megan Marlowe
January 31, 2017 at 5:01 pmI love meatloaf but have never made a pan gravy to go with it. I’m absolutely doing that next time!
Coco and Ash
January 31, 2017 at 6:13 pmThank you! I hope you love it!
Sandhya Nadkarni
January 31, 2017 at 5:13 pmSo wonderful to have the comfort food ready in a short time. Your skillet meatloaf looks super yummy!
Coco and Ash
January 31, 2017 at 6:13 pmThank you so much!
Sue Moore
February 12, 2017 at 1:10 pmThis 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
February 16, 2017 at 7:23 pmThanks Sue!! I hope you like it! Meatballs sounds like a great idea too! 🙂
Diane Wells
July 14, 2022 at 10:28 amMaking this today! So excited, I love trying something new. Would it be ok to add cooked bell pepper and mushrooms? Thanks
Coco and Ash
July 14, 2022 at 10:46 amI think those sound like great additions! Let me know how it goes. 🙂
Cassandra
February 22, 2017 at 8:21 pmTried 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
February 25, 2017 at 10:31 amSO glad you liked it! Tomato paste would totally work too 🙂
April
February 23, 2017 at 12:41 amI’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
February 25, 2017 at 10:31 amYay!! I’m so happy you all liked it!!
Cindy
February 23, 2017 at 6:27 amIncredibly 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
February 25, 2017 at 10:30 amThank you Cindy!! I’m so glad you liked it!
Kathy
April 10, 2019 at 5:55 pmWe 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
April 27, 2019 at 8:46 pmDo I empty the fat out of the skillet before I make the gravy?
Coco and Ash
April 29, 2019 at 12:48 pmNo draining 🙂
Mia
July 14, 2019 at 9:48 amThis 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
July 15, 2019 at 8:47 amYes it would be doubled. Thank you!!
KENYA SCOTT-DORELUS
January 19, 2020 at 1:01 pmI don’t have bread or breadcrumbs can I use flour
Coco and Ash
January 19, 2020 at 1:03 pmI 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
February 11, 2020 at 6:59 pmI 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
February 11, 2020 at 9:39 pmAw thank you! So glad you all enjoyed!
Kristen
April 6, 2020 at 11:12 pmJust tried this tonight! Thank you Mindy it was great 🙂
Coco and Ash
April 8, 2020 at 11:18 amYay! Thanks!
Kari
May 4, 2020 at 12:25 pmThis 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
May 5, 2020 at 3:57 pmThanks Kari! It can definitely be used with any meatloaf variation 🙂
Kindra J Gunn
January 12, 2021 at 6:43 pmGreat meatloaf recipe. My family absolutely loves it. Thank you for sharing it. I added baby bella mushrooms to the gravy. Just delicious !!!
glendys serra
March 8, 2021 at 12:14 amThis 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
September 11, 2021 at 8:08 amCould I use wheat bread instead of white ?
Perfect for two as a dinner. Thanks ! BTW I’m taking for a lunch
Coco and Ash
September 11, 2021 at 9:36 amAbsolutely!
Easy Weeknight Meals: Great Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less - Forkly
October 8, 2021 at 9:49 am[…] The secret in saving time is to make individual sized meatloaf patties instead of just one loaf. To cook, you’ll saute them in a skillet. Then with the drippings that are left over, you’ll make a creamy and irresistible gravy sauce to pour on top. They’re filling enough on their own but if you have some extra time you could even make mashed potatoes to pair. PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: COCO AND ASH […]
Alaina
July 17, 2022 at 6:53 pmI’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
January 2, 2023 at 2:37 pmwell 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
February 9, 2024 at 12:23 amI 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
March 25, 2024 at 8:58 pmHi 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.