Description
Hearty french onion meatloaf blends classic comfort with French countryside flavors. Caramelized onions and rich beef create a savory masterpiece you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 1/2 pounds (680 grams) ground beef
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup (115 grams) shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
Aromatics and Moisture Ingredients:
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) beef broth
Seasonings and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120 grams) breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure proper cooking temperature for the meatloaf.
- Create caramelized onions by melting butter in a skillet over medium heat, slowly cooking thinly sliced onions until deep golden brown and richly fragrant, approximately 20-25 minutes. Deglaze the pan with beef broth, stirring until liquid absorbs completely, then set aside to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef with breadcrumbs, milk, garlic, egg, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, dried thyme, salt, and pepper, mixing thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Gently incorporate the cooled caramelized onions and half of the Gruyere cheese into the meat mixture, ensuring even integration of flavors.
- Carefully form the mixture into a cohesive loaf shape and transfer to a baking dish, maintaining a uniform thickness for consistent cooking.
- Roast in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70C), indicating fully cooked meat.
- Sprinkle remaining Gruyere cheese over the meatloaf’s surface during the final 5-10 minutes of baking, allowing the cheese to melt and develop a golden, bubbly crust.
- Remove from oven and let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes, which helps redistribute internal juices and makes slicing easier.
- Slice and serve with complementary side dishes, highlighting the rich, savory French onion-inspired flavor profile.
Notes
- Caramelize Onions Slowly: Take your time developing deep, sweet flavors by cooking onions over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and achieve a rich golden-brown color.
- Moisture Matters: Add milk and egg to keep the meatloaf tender and prevent it from becoming dry and crumbly during baking.
- Cheese Selection: Choose high-quality Gruyere for authentic French onion flavor, but can substitute with Swiss or provolone if needed for milder taste or budget considerations.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare meatloaf mixture and caramelized onions a day in advance to streamline cooking process and enhance flavor development.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg