Try my meatloaf recipe, it’s great (or so I think anyhow) and it isn’t too complex.
3 lbs of 80% ground beef, about 3/4 of 1 small zucchini (about 6-7”) grated, 1/2 of a medium onion grated, 2 Tbsp of granulated garlic, salt and pepper to taste ( I use about 1 TBSP of each), 1 egg, about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of crackers pulverized. About 8 pieces of thinly sliced bacon.
I put the ground beef in a large bowl, throw the spices in, grate the zucchini and onion on to that, throw the egg and crackers in, then mix until everything is just combined (mixing meatloaf too much makes it tough).
I form it into a huge patty about 2 and 1/2” thick in a cast iron skillet (a 12” skillet works perfectly); leave about 1” of room around the edges and make a small indentation (about 1/4” deep and a few inches across) in the middle of the patty. Place the thinly sliced bacon on top of it and put it in a 350 degree oven. Bake it for about 1 hour. About halfway through the cooking process drain most of the fat to make life simpler later.
Top it off with your favorite sauce about 15 minutes before it is done baking. I make a chili sauce/ BBQ sauce concoction that works really well with this.
If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can melt some shredded cheese on it too.
My family loves this meatloaf.
I forgot to mention, most times I use 1/2 Tbsp or so of sea salt, and about 1/2 Tbsp of seasoned salt instead of just straight salt as I mentioned initially. I do this to add a little flavor and get some iodine in there (most sea salt isn’t iodized).
I copied your recipe and will give it a try.
I usually make one from a recipe from the Good Housekeeping cookbook from years ago. I use a cast iron frying pan too; I really like your idea of draining the fat part way through.
Another thing a cast iron pan is great for is soda bread, I think that’s the key to it.
So so so trying this! Never heard of skillet meatloaf though. I live my cast iron skillits.