Description
This Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf is a comforting, slow-cooked dish that combines the rich flavors of caramelized sweet onions, savory beef, and melted Swiss cheese. Slow-cooked for deep flavor and tenderness, it’s perfect for a hearty family dinner with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Scale
Onions and Cooking Base
- 3–4 large sweet onions, sliced
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Meatloaf Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup Italian herb bread crumbs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 oz. package French onion soup mix
Additional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cooking sherry
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 oz Swiss cheese (or Gruyere, or Provolone cheese)
- Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Onions: Slice the sweet onions and spread them evenly in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle sea salt, coarse black pepper, and granulated sugar over the onions. Dot the onions with butter and drizzle olive oil on top. Cover and cook on LOW for 12 hours, allowing the onions to slowly caramelize and develop rich flavor.
- Mix Meatloaf: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Italian herb bread crumbs, milk, egg, and the entire package of French onion soup mix. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Shape the mixture into a ball or oval loaf.
- Add Sherry and Place Meatloaf: Pour the cooking sherry and Worcestershire sauce over the caramelized onions in the slow cooker. Place the shaped meatloaf gently on top of the onions.
- Cook Meatloaf: Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or until the meatloaf registers an internal temperature of 160°F, indicating it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Add Cheese: After the initial cooking time, place slices of Swiss cheese evenly over the top of the meatloaf. Continue cooking for an additional 20-30 minutes with the lid on, allowing the cheese to melt and become gooey.
- Serve: Carefully remove the meatloaf from the slow cooker and slice. Serve topped with the caramelized onions and cooking juices from the slow cooker. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs for an aromatic finish.
Notes
- Use sweet onions like Vidalia for best caramelization and natural sweetness.
- For a richer flavor, substitute the cooking sherry with dry white wine if desired.
- Ground beef can be swapped for ground turkey or a beef-pork mix for variation.
- Make sure to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure food safety.
- The slow cooker size matters; a 6-quart cooker is recommended to allow proper heat circulation and caramelization.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Crockpot meatloaf, French onion meatloaf, slow cooker recipes, comfort food, caramelized onions, easy dinner
