Description
Crockpot French onion meatloaf sizzles with comforting flavors that blend classic American diner charm and French countryside elegance. Swiss cheese melts luxuriously over seasoned ground beef, inviting you to savor each hearty, satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Base:
- 1.5 pounds (680 g) ground beef
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup (50 g) breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
- 0.25 cup (60 ml) milk
- 1 egg
- 1 packet (1 ounce / 28 g) French onion soup mix
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- 6 slices Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Gently combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, French onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring minimal handling to maintain a tender texture.
- Mold the meat mixture into a cohesive loaf shape, positioning it centrally within the crockpot’s interior.
- Transform sliced onions into golden, luscious caramelized strands by sautéing in melted butter over medium heat, stirring periodically to achieve an even, rich brown coloration.
- Elegantly distribute the caramelized onions across the meatloaf’s surface, creating a flavorful blanket.
- Cascade beef broth around the meat, allowing liquid to pool at the base of the crockpot, and optionally sprinkle thyme for an aromatic enhancement.
- Seal the crockpot and allow the meatloaf to slow-cook, selecting either a low temperature for 6-8 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours, until the internal temperature reaches a safe 160F (71C).
- During the final cooking moments, drape Swiss cheese slices atop the meatloaf, creating a luxurious melted coating that will add creamy richness.
- Extract the meatloaf carefully using a robust spatula, transferring it to a serving platter and accompanying it with the caramelized onions and reserved cooking liquid as a robust, flavorful gravy.
Notes
- Gently mix meatloaf ingredients to prevent tough texture, ensuring a tender and juicy result.
- Caramelize onions slowly for deep, rich flavor that enhances the entire dish’s complexity.
- Consider using lean ground beef or ground turkey for a healthier alternative without sacrificing taste.
- Drain excess fat after cooking to reduce overall calories and create a cleaner presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg