This convenient and flavorful skillet meat loaf cooks in just 30 minutes, using only one pan. It's perfect for a fuss-free dinner on busy evenings, without sacrificing taste.
Skillet Meat Loaf
This skillet meat loaf recipe is perfect if you’re cooking for two and looking for a quick, satisfying dinner. This version offers all the heartwarming flavors of traditional meat loaf without the usual preparation. By using just one skillet, this recipe eliminates the need for loaf pans. It also significantly reduces cook time, allowing you to serve a delicious homemade meal in just 30 minutes.
This cooking method ensures that the meat loaf is moist inside and nicely browned outside. The direct heat from the skillet speeds up the cooking process, allows for full flavor development and creates a beautifully caramelized crust—a delightful touch that’s difficult to achieve with traditional baking methods.
Ingredients for Skillet Meat Loaf
- 2% milk: Milk adds moisture to the meat loaf, ensuring it doesn’t dry out during cooking. Unsweetened almond or soy milk can be a nondairy option for a similar consistency.
- Quick-cooking oats: The oats act as a binder to hold the meat loaf together, making it firm yet tender. Bread crumbs or crushed crackers can also serve as effective binders. Almond flour works as a gluten-free option, and a whole egg could be used for a protein-based binder.
- Onion: Chopped onion offers a bit of crunch and sweetness, enhancing the flavors around it.
- Lean ground beef: While ground beef is the backbone of this dish, lean ground chicken or turkey are lighter alternatives with a similar texture and ability to absorb flavors. For a vegetarian option, lentils combined with chopped mushrooms provide a meaty texture.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used to thicken the tomato sauce slightly. Arrowroot will also work in a pinch, and tapioca starch or a roux made from flour and butter can also be thickening agents.
- Italian tomato sauce: The sauce adds a tangy and herby touch. If you don’t have Italian-style sauce, you can use plain tomato sauce and add Italian seasoning (a blend of oregano, basil, thyme and rosemary). Crushed tomatoes with added seasoning can also work in a pinch.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the meat loaf mixture
In a small bowl, combine the milk, oats, onion and salt. Crumble the beef over that mixture, and mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape the mixture into two loaves.
Editor’s Tip: When preparing your meat loaf mixture, remember that overmixing can lead to toughness. To keep your meat loaf moist and tender, mix until your ingredients are just combined.
Step 2: Brown the loaves
In a nonstick skillet, brown the meat loaves on all sides, allowing a savory crust to form and seal in the juices, then drain.
Editor’s Tip: Browning the loaves on all sides gives a delectable texture and layers the flavors.
Step 3: Make the sauce
Whisk together the cornstarch, tomato sauce and water till smooth, then pour the mixture over the loaves. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then cover and simmer until the meat is no longer pink, 15 to 20 minutes.
Skillet Meat Loaf Variations
- Up the spice level: Add chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the beef mixture to kick up the heat.
- Make it cheesy: Add shredded cheddar cheese into the beef mixture before cooking, for a gooey, cheesy delight.
How to Store Skillet Meat loaf
Let the meat loaf cool completely, then refrigerate it in an airtight container. It will be ready and waiting to satisfy your comfort food cravings even on busy days.
How long does skillet meat loaf last?
If your leftovers are safely stored in the fridge, you can enjoy them within three to four days.
Can you make skillet meat loaf ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the loaf, store it in the fridge overnight and cook it the next day.
Can you freeze skillet meat loaf?
Freeze individual slices for quick meals. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Stovetop Meat Loaf Tips
What is the secret to a great meat loaf?
The secret to tender, juicy meat loaf is keeping the ingredients balanced and not overmixing the beef mixture before cooking.
Why do you put milk in meat loaf?
Milk soaks into the bread crumbs (or oats), keeping the meat loaf moist and tender.
Should I cover meat loaf when cooking?
Yes, you should. When cooking meat loaf in a skillet, covering the pan helps create even, thorough cooking without drying out the meat loaf.
Skillet Meat Loaf
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
20 min
Yield
2 servings
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons 2% milk
- 2 tablespoons quick-cooking oats
- 1 tablespoon chopped onion
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 cup Italian tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup cold water
Directions
- In a small bowl, combine the milk, oats, onion and salt. Crumble beef over mixture and mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 2 loaves.
- In a small nonstick skillet, brown loaves on all sides; drain. Combine the cornstarch, tomato sauce and water until smooth. Pour over meat loaves. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook until meat is no longer pink, 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
1 meat loaf: 292 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 99mg cholesterol, 548mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch.
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Who says meat loaf has to bake in the oven for hours? For this convenient recipe, all you need is your stovetop and 30 minutes. It’s a quick, simple dish to make for one or two people. —Emily Sund, Geneseo, Illinois.
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