French Onion Meatloaf

A Savory Twist on Classic Comfort Food

This French Onion Meatloaf combines the rich, caramelized flavors of French onion soup with juicy ground beef, all topped with melted Gruyère cheese for the ultimate comfort food upgrade. Perfect for a cozy family dinner that feels gourmet!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Restaurant-worthy flavor – Caramelized onions & Gruyère take meatloaf to new heights
Sweet & savory balance – Deeply caramelized onions add incredible depth
Cheesy perfection – Golden, bubbly cheese topping you can’t resist
Meal prep friendly – Makes amazing sandwiches the next day

Ingredients

(Serves 6-8)

For the Caramelized Onions

• 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tbsp beef broth

For the Meatloaf

• 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Topping

• 1½ cups shredded Gruyère cheese
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Caramelize the Onions

1. Melt butter with olive oil in large skillet over medium-low heat
2. Add onions, salt, and sugar – cook 40 minutes, stirring occasionally
3. When deep golden brown, deglaze with beef broth
4. Remove from heat and let cool slightly

2. Prepare the Meatloaf

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
2. In large bowl, combine:

• Ground beef
• Panko
• Eggs
• Beef broth
• Worcestershire
• Dijon
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt & pepper

1. Fold in ¾ of the caramelized onions (reserve rest for topping)
2. Shape into loaf in 9×5″ loaf pan or on baking sheet

3. Bake & Top

1. Bake 45 minutes
2. Top with reserved onions and cheeses
3. Bake 15 more minutes until 160°F internal temp
4. Broil 1-2 minutes for extra browning (watch carefully!)
5. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing
6. Garnish with fresh parsley

Expert Tips

Onion shortcut – Cook onions a day ahead to save time
Don’t overmix – Gently combine ingredients for tender texture
Testing doneness – Use meat thermometer for perfect results
Alternative cheeses – Swiss or fontina work great too

Make-Ahead & Storage

Prep ahead – Shape loaf and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking
Freezing – Wrap unbaked loaf tightly, freeze up to 3 months
Leftovers – Store slices in fridge 3-4 days or freeze 1 month

Serving Suggestions

Pair with – Roasted potatoes and green beans
Wine pairing – Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec
Next-day idea – Make incredible grilled cheese sandwiches

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use ground turkey instead?
A: Yes, but add 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent dryness

Q: What if I don’t have Gruyère?
A: Swiss or provolone make good substitutes

Q: How do I prevent a greasy meatloaf?
A: Use leaner beef or place loaf on rack over baking sheet

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Use gluten-free panko or crushed pork rinds

Final Thoughts

This French Onion Meatloaf transforms humble ingredients into something extraordinary. The sweet caramelized onions and nutty Gruyère create a flavor combination that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s comfort food elevated to gourmet status!

French Onion Meatloaf

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• Author: Lara Smith
• Total Time: 1H 30 mnt

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Description

Elevate your meatloaf game with this flavorful French Onion Meatloaf! Infused with rich, caramelized onions and topped with melted cheese, this dish is a savory delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

2 lbs ground beef

1 cup bread crumbs

2 large eggs

1 cup French onion soup mix

1/2 cup milk

1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese

1 large onion, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a skillet, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until caramelized, about 15-20 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, eggs, French onion soup mix, and milk. Mix until well combined.

Add half of the caramelized onions to the meat mixture and mix well.

Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the meatloaf is cooked through.

Remove the meatloaf from the oven and top with the remaining caramelized onions and shredded Gruyere cheese. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Garnish with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy this savory French Onion Meatloaf!