French Onion Meatloaf Recipe
This French Onion Meatloaf is a comforting and flavorful dish that brings together caramelized sweet onions, rich ground beef, and melted Swiss cheese, all slow-cooked to perfection. Infused with red wine and Worcestershire sauce, this hearty meatloaf offers a French-inspired twist on a classic favorite, making it tender, moist, and full of delicious savory goodness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours 40 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Caramelized Onions
- 4 large sweet onions, sliced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ cup red wine
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Meatloaf Mixture
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 oz. packet Lipton onion soup mix
Topping and Garnish
- 6–8 slices Swiss cheese
- Fresh thyme, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the sliced sweet onions, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are soft and golden brown.
- Prepare Slow Cooker Base: Transfer the caramelized onions to the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the red wine and Worcestershire sauce over the onions to create a flavorful base.
- Mix the Meatloaf Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, whole milk, egg, and Lipton onion soup mix. Mix thoroughly using your hands or a spoon until everything is well blended.
- Form the Meatloaf: Shape the meat mixture into an oval loaf that fits inside your slow cooker. Make sure not to pack it too tightly to maintain tenderness.
- Cook the Meatloaf: Gently place the shaped meatloaf on top of the onion mixture in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on low for approximately 5 hours.
- Add Cheese Topping: Carefully open the slow cooker after 5 hours and layer 6 to 8 slices of Swiss cheese on top of the meatloaf, slightly overlapping them if necessary. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
- Garnish and Rest: Garnish the meatloaf with fresh thyme sprigs if desired. Let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes in the slow cooker to help it set and hold together when sliced.
- Serve: Slice the meatloaf and serve it with the caramelized onions and the flavorful sauce from the slow cooker. You may serve it directly from the slow cooker or transfer it to a serving platter.
Notes
- Use sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla for the best caramelized flavor.
- Be sure not to over-pack the meatloaf to keep it tender and moist.
- Allowing the meatloaf to rest before slicing helps keep it from falling apart.
- For a wine substitute, beef broth or extra Worcestershire sauce can be used if you prefer no alcohol.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
Keywords: French Onion Meatloaf, slow cooker meatloaf, caramelized onion meatloaf, Swiss cheese meatloaf, comfort food, easy meatloaf recipe
Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/french-onion-meatloaf-recipe/
