Description
Hearty Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf brings classic comfort to your dinner table with caramelized onions and rich Swiss cheese. Slow-cooked perfection combines French-inspired flavors that draw hungry diners into a world of savory satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 2 large eggs
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
Aromatics and Flavorings:
- 1 packet French onion soup mix
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (2 tbsp) Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Binding and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup beef broth
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Blend ground beef with French onion soup mix, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until thoroughly incorporated, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Carefully mold the meat mixture into a compact, uniform loaf shape, optimizing its structure for slow cooking.
- Caramelize onion slices in a skillet with olive oil over medium heat, developing rich, golden-brown edges and deep flavor complexity for approximately 10-12 minutes.
- Transfer caramelized onions onto the meatloaf surface within the crockpot, creating a flavorful topping layer.
- Drizzle beef broth and Worcestershire sauce over the meatloaf, providing moisture and enhancing savory undertones.
- Cover the crockpot and slow cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours, allowing meat to tenderize and absorb surrounding flavors.
- During the final 15 minutes of cooking, strategically arrange Swiss cheese slices across the meatloaf’s surface, enabling complete melting and creating a luxurious golden crust.
- Remove from crockpot, sprinkle with fresh parsley for vibrant color and herbal freshness, then slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- Maximize flavor by using high-quality ground beef with slightly higher fat content for juicier results.
- Caramelize onions slowly to develop deep, sweet undertones that enhance the overall meatloaf complexity.
- Prevent dryness by avoiding overmixing the meat mixture, which can make the texture tough and dense.
- Add gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds to make the recipe suitable for low-carb and gluten-sensitive diets.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 440 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg