Delicious Skillet Meatloaf Recipe for Meat Lovers
Welcome to my kitchen where I am about to indulge in some serious culinary exploration. Today, I have a recipe that will transport you back to the good old days when food was simple, delicious, and comforting – introducing the skillet meatloaf!
Some might say that the humble meatloaf has gotten a bit of a bad rap over the years, but I firmly believe that this old-fashioned skillet meatloaf recipe will change their minds in an instant. This classic dish is perfect for any time of year and easy enough for busy weeknights while also being hearty enough for weekend feasts.
As an experienced chef, I have experimented with many recipes before settling on this one. So, whether you are a seasoned cook or just starting out in the kitchen, put your apron on and let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Listen up, food lovers! If you’re in search of a scrumptious meatloaf recipe that is brimming with flavor and is easy to make, then I’ve got some good news for you. This old-fashioned skillet meatloaf recipe will surely have you falling in love with it.
Firstly, let me tell you that the taste of this dish will take you back in time. With its thyme and oregano seasoning, as well as a kick of black pepper and lemon pepper seasoning, every bite is an explosion of rich flavors that will make your taste buds dance with joy.
Not only that, but this recipe also uses classic ingredients like onion, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce that are so commonly seen in many households. Plus, it’s made solely on a cast-iron skillet which means lower cleaning time for you and more juicy goodness for your meal.
If you’re worried about texture or consistency, don’t be. The bread crumbs and old fashioned oats help keep the meat moist and tender while eggs act as a binder. Plus, the recipe even allows for some customization – for instance, if you don’t fancy beef pork veal mix, feel free to switch it up with another protein option instead.
And lastly, what’s not to love about an easy one-pan dish? This skillet meatloaf has minimal prep time – all you need is a large bowl to mix everything together before cooking. Perfectly accompanied by a sheet pan roast vegetable side dish or mashed potatoes , this makes a complete meal ideal for family dinners or cozy fun date nights at home!
So go ahead and give this easy skillet meatloaf recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed!
Ingredient List
As a culinary explorer, I am always on the lookout for old fashioned classics. This skillet meatloaf recipe is exactly that – hearty, easy, and delicious. For this recipe, you’ll need 2 pounds of ground beef; preferably an 80/20 beef to fat ratio for maximum flavor. The next ingredient is 1/2 cups of old fashioned oats, which will act as a binding agent in place of breadcrumbs. You’ll also need 1 tablespoon of olive oil to cook the meatloaves in the cast-iron skillet.
Meat Mixture
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Spring onion (finely chopped)
- Garlic (minced)
Seasonings
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Salt
- Lemon pepper seasoning
Topping
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
The Recipe How-To
Prepare the Old-fashioned Skillet Meatloaf in a Cast-Iron Skillet
Say hello to the easy skillet meatloaf cooked in your very own cast iron skillet. This recipe is all about perfecting every step of the way to ensure a juicy and flavorful meal.
Preheat Oven and Combine Ingredients
First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, add 2 pounds of meatloaf mix (a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal), 1 ½ cups of old fashioned oats, 1 cup of ketchup, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and 2 finely chopped large eggs.
Mix Well with Seasonings
In the same bowl, whisk together 1 teaspoon each of kosher salt and black pepper, ½ teaspoon each of thyme, oregano, garlic powder and lemon pepper seasoning. Mix well until everything is well incorporated.
Shape Mixture and Place on a Skillet or Loaf Pan
Moving ahead, shape meat mixture into two separate loaves. Use an electric skillet or a preheated cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet and heat for a few minutes.
Once hot enough, add the shaped meatloaf mixture to the skillet or use a loaf pan if you don’t have a skillet. Cook for ten minutes or so until both sides are browned.
Bake until Done
Using tongs or spatula place evenly on sheet pan sprayed with cooking spray. Then bake in oven around 60-70 minutes until fully cooked.
Serving Suggestions
This easy skillet meatloaf goes perfectly with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables. You can also make mini meatloaves with this recipe by dividing it into eight individual loaves. You can even serve this dish with turkey meatloaf gravy or brown gravy as per your taste preference.
Now that you know how to cook this delicious Old-Fashioned Skillet Meatloaf in a Cast-Iron Skillet with ease, get ready for some serious compliments!
Substitutions and Variations
You know what they say about cooking, it’s all about experimentation! You can add your own twist to my Skillet Meatloaf Recipe by making these tasty substitutions and variations.
– Meat: Ground beef works best for this recipe, but feel free to switch it up with ground pork or veal, or a combination of both. Turkey meatloaf is also fantastic for those watching their calorie intake.
– Bread crumbs: Substitute old-fashioned oats for bread crumbs. They work wonderfully and add extra texture to your meatloaf.
– Herbs and spices: If you don’t have spring onions on hand, use regular onions instead. Add other herbs like thyme or oregano to enhance the flavor.
– Ketchup: You can use barbeque sauce instead of ketchup. Not only does it add sweetness, but it also gives a smoky flavor that people will go crazy over.
– Lemon Pepper Seasoning: You can substitute lemon pepper seasoning with any seasonings of your choice, such as garlic powder or paprika.
– Milk: Milk helps make your meatloaf tender and moist. You can substitute milk with buttermilk or heavy cream for an even richer dish.
– Worcestershire sauce: For a Southern twist, try substituting Worcestershire sauce with barbecue sauce or sweet chili sauce.
– Cast iron skillet: Don’t have a cast iron skillet? You can use any oven-safe skillet or bake your meatloaf in a loaf pan or sheet pan instead.
Experimentation is key when it comes to cooking, so don’t be afraid to put your unique spin on things!
Serving and Pairing
This skillet meatloaf recipe is a hearty and classic dish that is perfect for any dinner occasion. Serve it with a generous helping of creamy mashed potatoes, roasted carrots or green beans, and you have yourself a complete meal. The mashed potatoes will be perfect for sopping up the flavorful brown gravy that the meatloaf creates in the skillet.
To add some extra crunch and freshness, serve a simple salad on the side with a light vinaigrette dressing. The acidity of the vinaigrette will complement the richness of the meatloaf and cut through its heaviness.
If you’re looking to turn it up a notch, try pairing this dish with your favorite red wine. The tannins in red wine work to counterbalance the richness of the meatloaf, leaving you with an even more satisfying experience.
For those who prefer beer or non-alcoholic beverage, opt for an amber ale or an iced tea. These drinks will neither overpower nor fade away under the flavors of this delicious old-fashioned skillet meatloaf.
Whether hosting a family dinner or cooking for one, seasoning this easy skillet meatloaf recipe with lemon pepper, salt, thyme and oregano guarantees that no one leaves your table hungry or disappointed!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
As a fan of leftovers, I think that making extra skillet meatloaf is always a great idea. It’s comforting and delicious, making it perfect for a quick meal or as a leftover snack. Plus, this easy skillet meatloaf recipe stores well in the refrigerator or freezer.
To store your finished meatloaf, let it cool completely and place it into an airtight container. Use it within four days if you decide to store it inside the fridge or up to three months if you opt to freeze it. When reheating the meatloaf, you can do so in the microwave or oven.
If you want to make-ahead for busy weeknights, preparing the ingredients ahead of time is the best approach. Start by mixing all of the ingredients and then cover and refrigerate them overnight in separate containers. The next day when you are ready to cook, combine everything in your preheated old-fashioned skillet and bake away.
Additionally, the seasoned onion topping or tomato sauce can be made ahead of time and stored separately chilled in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
One tip while reheating is to slice the meatloaf before putting it back in the oven makes it much easier to heat evenly. You can reheat his recipe easily with quick gravy on a cast iron pan or make mini meatloafs with additional turkey-gravy pairing for some variation.
Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal or just trying to have leftovers, this skillet meatloaf recipe is sure to become one of your go-to dishes.
Tips for Perfect Results
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: the key to making a perfect skillet meatloaf is all in the preparation. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of tips to help make your skillet meatloaf recipe exceptional.
First and foremost, choose high-quality, fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Ground beef that has been frozen and thawed will release more moisture during cooking and result in a less tender meatloaf. So, if possible, try to buy the pork, beef and veal fresh from your local butcher.
When mixing the ingredients together, be gentle with the ground beef. Overworking it can make your meatloaf dense and tough. Instead, mix just enough to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
Another tip for tasty results is to use an old-fashioned cast-iron skillet. The cast iron helps distribute heat evenly across the bottom of the pan and cook your meatloaf uniformly.
Although tempting, avoid opening the lid or flipping it while cooking as that can cause both temperature variations and loss of moisture.
One critical element of this recipe is the seasoning for the meatloaf. The thyme, oregano, garlics and seasonings are essential as they help give it flavor without overpowering it with any single one.
If you want your skillet meatloaf really moist then adding some milk can do wonders. Milk adds moisture into the mixture without making it too much wet or soupy. You can add milk according to your preference or recipe directions.
Finally, allow your skillet meatloaf to rest for five minutes before cutting into it when removed from heat. This period will ensure that flavorful juices mainly remain within as you cut into it, so puncturing a juicy steak becomes no fuss.
With these tips in mind, making a delicious old-fashioned skillet meatloaf shouldn’t be too hard!
Bottom Line
So there you have it, my fellow culinary explorers! With this old-fashioned skillet meatloaf recipe, you will create a scrumptious, hearty meal that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you are entertaining guests or cooking for your family, this recipe is guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
With its unique blend of spices and easy-to-follow instructions, this skillet meatloaf recipe is truly one-of-a-kind. So why not give it a try? Break out your cast iron skillet and preheat your oven to 350 degrees. I promise you won’t regret it.
And remember, the beauty of cooking is that you can always make substitutions and variations as needed. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make this recipe your own! Who knows – you might just discover a new favorite dish.
In conclusion, I hope that this recipe has inspired you to get creative in the kitchen and try something new. Cooking is not just about nourishing our bodies; it’s about nourishing our souls and creating memories with the people we love. So grab your ingredients, heat up your skillet, and get cooking! Bon appétit!
Skillet Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lbs hamburger meat (If using ground beef, drain well with hot water)
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup cheese nips (crushed)
- 1/2 cup spring onion (fine chopped so meat will stick together)
- 2 teaspoons garlic (or 1/2 whole garlic glove crushed)
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans Hunts meatloaf sauce
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Combine meat all ingredients and 1/2 can of Hunts Meatloaf sauce.
- Form a long or square loaf depending on the size skillet you use.
- Place in skillet.
- Brown on med heat, turn over and brown the other side on med heat.
- After the browning process, pour 1 can of Hunts Meatloaf sauce into skillet over loaf.
- Cover and cook on low-med heat for 1 1/2 hours.
- Turning the loaf every 20 minutes.
- Heat the remaining 1/2 can of Hunts Meatloaf sauce for the eater who likes the extra sauce on their meat loaf.
- Place meatloaf on platter and serve.
- To watch calories and cholesterol, do not use the juice the meatloaf was cooked in and only use the extra sauce heated.
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Mishra Vikas is a digital nomad who loves to explore the world and learn about its cultures. As a programmer, backpacker, and cook, he enjoys sharing his adventures and cooking up delectable dishes. Writing about his experiences, creating tasty recipes, and discovering new places are some of his favorite activities. He’s an avid traveler and passionate chef, always on the lookout for an exciting new journey.