Description
Hearty French onion meatloaf brings classic comfort to dinner tables with caramelized onions and rich Swiss cheese. Savory layers of flavor combine traditional meatloaf with beloved French onion soup, creating a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef (85% lean)
- 2 large eggs
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 packet (28 grams) French onion soup mix
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup (56 grams) shredded Swiss cheese
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) milk
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Onion Topping:
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
Cheese Topping:
- 6 slices Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Caramelize onions in a skillet with butter and olive oil over medium heat, stirring periodically until they transform into a rich golden brown color.
- Enhance the caramelized onions with a splash of balsamic vinegar for deeper flavor complexity, then set aside the aromatic mixture.
- Create the meatloaf base by gently combining ground beef with French onion soup mix, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl.
- Fold in shredded Swiss cheese carefully, ensuring the mixture remains light and tender without excessive handling.
- Shape the meat mixture into a cohesive loaf, maintaining an even thickness for consistent cooking.
- Transfer the meatloaf to a slow cooker and distribute half of the caramelized onions across the top for initial flavor infusion.
- Allow the meatloaf to cook slowly on low temperature for 6-7 hours, developing rich, deep flavors throughout.
- During the final cooking phase, layer Swiss cheese slices and remaining caramelized onions over the meatloaf, covering to ensure perfect melting.
- After cooking, permit the meatloaf to rest briefly, allowing juices to redistribute and ensuring a moist, tender texture.
- Slice the meatloaf and garnish with fresh parsley, serving alongside complementary sides like creamy mashed potatoes or roasted seasonal vegetables.
Notes
- Caramelize onions slowly to develop rich, sweet flavor without burning, stirring frequently to ensure even browning.
- Use ground beef with moderate fat content (80/20) for juicy meatloaf that won’t dry out during slow cooking.
- Consider substituting breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour for celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
- Allow meatloaf to rest after cooking, which helps retain moisture and makes slicing cleaner and more precise.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 422
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg