The Perfect French Onion Meatloaf
This is your go-to recipe for a juicy, flavorful meatloaf with caramelized onions and melted cheese. It’s comfort food perfection!
Equipment
- Skillet
- Oven
- Loaf pan
- Saucepan
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20) for the best texture
- 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Gruyère cheese Swiss works too
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried
- Salt and pepper to taste
Gravy
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Caramelize the onions: Melt 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes until golden and sweet. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, pepper, and half of the caramelized onions. Mix until just combined—don’t overwork it!
- Form the mixture into a loaf shape on a baking sheet or in a loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the gravy: In a small saucepan, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Add 1 cup beef broth and the remaining onions, stirring until thickened (about 3-5 minutes).
- Pour the gravy over the meatloaf, sprinkle with Gruyère cheese, and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Use Swiss cheese if Gruyère is unavailable. You can also make the onions ahead to save time on cooking day.