Ah, French Onion Meatloaf is a savory, rich twist on classic meatloaf, inspired by French onion soup flavors—caramelized onions, beefy richness, and often a cheesy topping or glaze. Here’s a full recipe and guide:
French Onion Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients (for 4–6 servings):
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef (or mix beef and pork for extra flavor)
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp thyme (dried or fresh)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyère cheese (optional)
For the glaze:
- ½ cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp ketchup or tomato paste
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Instructions:
- Caramelize the onions:
- In a skillet, melt butter and cook onions over medium-low heat until golden brown and sweet, about 15–20 minutes.
- Add garlic in the last 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Prepare the meat mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in the caramelized onions (reserve a few for topping if you like).
- Shape the meatloaf:
- Form the mixture into a loaf shape and place in a greased baking dish or loaf pan.
- Optional: sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
- Prepare the glaze:
- Mix beef broth, ketchup, and Dijon mustard. Brush over the meatloaf.
- Bake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake uncovered for 50–60 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Baste once or twice with glaze during baking for extra flavor.
- Rest and serve:
- Let the meatloaf rest 5–10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve with mashed potatoes or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
If you want, I can also give a shortcut version with caramelized onion flavor infused faster—no 20-minute sauté needed, but still tastes amazing.
Do you want me to do that?
