French onion soup meets comfort-food meatloaf — this French Onion Meatloaf is juicy, deeply savory, and finished with a blanket of sweet caramelized onions and golden melted cheese. One slice and you’ll understand the hype.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (900 g) ground beef (80/20)
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/3 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, plus extra for garnish
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Caramelize the onions: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sugar; cook slowly, stirring often, 25–30 minutes until deep golden and jammy. Season with a pinch of salt. Set aside.
- Mix the meatloaf: Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme. Mix gently with your hands just until combined — don’t overwork it.
- Shape and bake: Shape the mixture into a loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet or place in a loaf pan. Bake 45–50 minutes until cooked through (160°F / 71°C internal).
- Top and broil: Spoon the caramelized onions evenly over the loaf and sprinkle with the shredded cheese. Broil 3–5 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Rest and serve: Rest 10 minutes, garnish with fresh thyme, slice, and serve with mashed potatoes or a crisp green salad.
Pro tip: Don’t rush the onions — the low, slow caramelization is what gives this meatloaf its signature French-onion sweetness. Gruyère melts the smoothest, but Swiss is a great budget-friendly swap.
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Estimated nutrition per serving: 540 calories, 38g protein, 22g carbs, 32g fat.
