Here’s a French Onion Meatloaf recipe—a savory, caramelized onion twist on classic meatloaf 🧅🍖
French Onion Meatloaf
Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf
- 1½ lbs ground beef (or mix beef & pork)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup caramelized onions* (see below)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme (optional)
For the Topping
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp flour
- ½ cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese (optional)
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar (optional, enhances caramelized onion flavor)
Instructions
1. Caramelize Onions (if not pre-cooked)
- Slice 1 cup of onions thinly.
- Heat 1 tbsp butter and 1 tsp oil in a skillet over medium-low heat.
- Cook onions slowly, stirring occasionally, 15–20 minutes until deep golden brown and sweet.
2. Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
3. Make Meatloaf
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, garlic, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, and caramelized onions.
- Mix gently—don’t overwork, or meatloaf will be dense.
- Shape into a loaf and place in prepared pan.
4. Prepare Topping
- In a small bowl, whisk beef broth and flour until smooth.
- Pour over the meatloaf.
- Optional: sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
5. Bake
- Bake 55–65 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Tips
- Extra flavor: Sauté mushrooms with onions for a French onion soup twist.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the meatloaf mixture, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate overnight.
- Leftovers: Serve in sandwiches or with mashed potatoes.
If you want, I can also give a slow cooker version of French Onion Meatloaf that’s extra moist and hands-off.
Do you want me to do that?