French Onion Meatloaf
This Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf brings together the comforting, savory taste of traditional meatloaf with the gourmet richness of caramelized onions.
Melted Swiss cheese crowns this dish, enhancing its hearty texture and transforming it into an indulgent meal perfect for cozy dinners.
The deep flavors of sweet onions, slowly caramelized over hours, contrast beautifully with the tender, seasoned meatloaf. The addition of Gruyère or provolone cheese elevates the dish, making each bite luxurious and full of flavor. Whether for a weeknight dinner or a special family gathering, this meatloaf is sure to impress.
Key Ingredients for French Onion Meatloaf
- Ground beef – Forms the base of the meatloaf, offering a rich and savory core to the dish.
- Sweet onions – Slowly caramelized to provide a deep, almost jammy sweetness that complements the meat.
- French onion soup mix – Infuses the meatloaf with robust onion flavor.
- Italian herb breadcrumbs – Adds texture and helps bind the meatloaf together while contributing subtle herbal notes.
- Swiss, Gruyère, or provolone cheese slices – Melts perfectly on top of the meatloaf, providing a creamy, savory finish.
- Cooking sherry – Enhances the sweetness of the onions while adding a hint of complexity.
- Fresh thyme – Offers a fragrant garnish, adding an herbal touch to balance the richness of the dish.
How to Make French Onion Meatloaf
Start by layering sweet, sliced onions in the base of your slow cooker. Sprinkle with sea salt, pepper, and a bit of sugar before adding small dots of butter on top. Let them cook on LOW for 9 hours until they’re soft, golden, and richly caramelized. If you’re short on time, you can sauté the onions in a skillet instead for a quicker caramelization process.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, and the French onion soup mix. Shape the mixture into a meatloaf. After the onions have finished cooking, pour in the cooking sherry and Worcestershire sauce, which will enhance their flavors. Carefully place the meatloaf on top of the onion bed and cook on HIGH for 3 hours until fully cooked.
Towards the end, place your chosen cheese on top of the meatloaf, allowing it to melt for a final touch of creamy goodness. Serve each slice of meatloaf with a generous spoonful of the caramelized onions and some fresh thyme for garnish.
Recipe Tips for Perfect Results
To elevate the flavor of this dish, choose Gruyère cheese, known for its nutty and complex taste, or opt for provolone if you prefer something milder. Cooking the onions in a skillet rather than the crockpot can add extra caramelization, providing a deeper sweetness and more texture. When shaping the meatloaf, be gentle—overworking the mixture can make it dense instead of tender.
For an extra flavor boost, try adding a splash of balsamic vinegar to the onions while they cook. It adds depth and balances the sweetness perfectly. Also, ensure the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F to guarantee it’s cooked through.
Storing Leftovers with Care
Store leftover French onion meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, use the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes, ensuring the meatloaf stays moist by covering it with foil. You can also freeze the meatloaf, tightly wrapped, for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat thoroughly before serving.
This French Onion Meatloaf is the epitome of comfort food, combining classic meatloaf flavors with the sophisticated touch of caramelized onions and melted cheese.
French Onion Meatloaf Recipe
Equipment
- Crockpot / Slow Cooker (6 Qt. recommended)
- Large Skillet (cast iron preferred)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 3-4 large sweet onions sliced
- 1 egg
- 1 cup Italian herb breadcrumbs
- 1 oz. package French onion soup mix
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 4 oz. Swiss Gruyère, or provolone cheese slices
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup cooking sherry
- Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by layering the sliced sweet onions in the base of a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle them with sea salt, coarse black pepper, and sugar, then distribute small dots of butter over the top. Set the slow cooker to cook on LOW for 9 hours. (Alternatively, the onions can be caramelized in a skillet over medium heat for 15-20 minutes).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, and the French onion soup mix. Shape this mixture into a loaf.
- Once the onions have cooked, pour the cooking sherry and Worcestershire sauce over them. Carefully place the meatloaf on top of the onions, and adjust the slow cooker to HIGH. Cook for 3 hours, or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160°F.
- Place cheese slices on top of the meatloaf, allowing them to melt during an additional 20-30 minutes of cooking.
- Once ready, slice the meatloaf and serve it alongside the caramelized onions, spooning the flavorful juices from the slow cooker over each serving. Garnish with sprigs of fresh thyme.