Print

Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.4 from 73 reviews

This Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines the rich, sweet taste of slow-cooked onions with a classic meatloaf infused with French onion soup mix. Slow-cooked in a crockpot for tender onions and juicy meat, topped with melted Swiss cheese, this meal offers a perfect blend of savory and cheesy goodness ideal for a hearty family dinner.

Ingredients

Onion Base

  • 3-4 large sweet onions, sliced
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Meatloaf Mixture

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup Italian herb bread crumbs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1 oz. package French onion soup mix

Additional Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup cooking sherry
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 oz Swiss cheese (or Gruyere or Provolone)
  • Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare and slow cook onions: Slice the sweet onions and spread them evenly in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle sea salt, coarse black pepper, and granulated sugar evenly over the onions. Dot the top with salted butter and drizzle the olive oil. Cover and cook on LOW heat for 12 hours until onions are deeply caramelized and tender.
  2. Mix the meatloaf ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Italian herb bread crumbs, milk, egg, and the French onion soup mix. Mix thoroughly until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat. Shape the mixture into an oval or ball suitable for the slow cooker size.
  3. Add sherry and Worcestershire sauce: After the onions have cooked, pour the cooking sherry and Worcestershire sauce over the caramelized onions to add depth and moisture.
  4. Cook the meatloaf: Place the shaped meatloaf on top of the onion mixture in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH heat for 3 hours, or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160°F (71°C), ensuring it is cooked through and juicy.
  5. Melt the cheese topping: Once the meatloaf is cooked, top it with Swiss cheese slices. Cover and continue cooking on HIGH for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese has fully melted and is slightly bubbly.
  6. Serve and garnish: Carefully remove the meatloaf from the slow cooker, slice, and serve with the caramelized onions and cooking juices spooned over the top. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs for an aromatic finish.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, you can substitute some ground beef with ground pork or veal.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the lid in the last 30 minutes of cooking to reduce liquid.
  • Leftover meatloaf can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
  • Use fresh thyme for garnish or substitute with rosemary for a different aromatic profile.
  • Ensure an instant-read thermometer is used to check doneness for food safety.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/crockpot-french-onion-meatloaf-recipe/