Description

This French Onion Meatloaf recipe combines the rich flavors of caramelized sweet onions, red wine, and Worcestershire sauce with a moist, seasoned ground beef loaf topped with melting Swiss cheese. Slow-cooked to perfection, it offers a comforting twist on classic meatloaf with a luscious, savory base reminiscent of French onion soup.

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:

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
6–8 slices Swiss cheese

Garnish:

Fresh thyme, 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 25–30 minutes, stirring often, until the onions are soft and golden brown. Carefully transfer the caramelized onions to the bottom of the slow cooker, then pour the red wine and Worcestershire sauce over them to create a flavorful base.
Prepare the meatloaf mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, whole milk, egg, and Lipton onion soup mix. Use your hands or a spoon to mix thoroughly until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Shape the meatloaf: Form the meat mixture into an oval loaf shape that will fit comfortably inside the slow cooker. Ensure the loaf is compact but not packed too tightly to avoid a dense texture.
Assemble in slow cooker: Gently place the shaped meatloaf on top of the onion mixture in the slow cooker.
Cook the meatloaf: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for approximately 5 hours.
Add the cheese topping: After 5 hours, carefully lift the slow cooker lid and arrange 6-8 slices of Swiss cheese over the top of the meatloaf, slightly overlapping if needed. Cover again and cook for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese has melted.
Garnish and rest: Remove the lid, garnish the meatloaf with fresh thyme sprigs if desired and allow it to rest inside the slow cooker for 5 minutes. This helps the loaf hold together when slicing.
Serve: Slice the meatloaf and serve it with the caramelized onions and flavorful sauce from the slow cooker, either directly or transferred onto a serving platter.

Notes

Use sweet onions like Vidalia for the best caramelization and sweetness.
Do not over-pack the meatloaf to ensure it remains tender and juicy.
If you prefer, replace Swiss cheese with Gruyère for a more traditional French onion flavor.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to preserve moisture.
For a gluten-free option, substitute the breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: French onion meatloaf, slow cooker meatloaf, caramelized onion meatloaf, Swiss cheese meatloaf, comfort food, easy meatloaf recipe