Description
French onion meatloaf brings classic comfort to dinner tables with a delightful twist. Swiss cheese melts perfectly over savory beef, creating a hearty meal sure to satisfy hungry families seeking a flavorful home-cooked experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 4 large onions
- 6 slices swiss cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Seasoning and Garnish:
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup beef broth
Instructions
- Finely dice the onions and sauté them in a skillet until deeply caramelized and golden brown, developing a rich, sweet flavor.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, minced garlic, thyme, and half of the fresh parsley, mixing thoroughly until well-integrated.
- Shape the meat mixture into a compact loaf, ensuring even distribution of ingredients and a uniform density.
- Layer the caramelized onions along the bottom of the crockpot, creating a flavorful base for the meatloaf.
- Gently place the formed meatloaf on top of the onion layer, ensuring it sits evenly in the crockpot.
- Pour beef broth around the meatloaf to maintain moisture and enhance the overall savory profile.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours, allowing the meatloaf to slowly develop deep, concentrated flavors.
- During the final 30 minutes of cooking, carefully arrange swiss cheese slices over the top of the meatloaf, letting them melt and create a golden, bubbling crust.
- Once cooking is complete, let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and ensure clean slicing.
- Garnish with remaining fresh parsley before serving, adding a bright, fresh element to the rich, hearty dish.
Notes
- Caramelize onions slowly to unlock their natural sweetness, which deepens the overall flavor profile of the meatloaf.
- Use lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) to prevent excessive grease pooling during slow cooking while maintaining moisture.
- Consider gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds for a low-carb alternative that keeps the meatloaf’s texture intact.
- Enhance protein content by adding grated parmesan cheese to the meat mixture, creating an extra layer of savory complexity.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 392
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 537 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg