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Rich Onion Meatloaf

Featured in Beef.

Gave this slow cooker meatloaf a try—it’s a winner! The onions turned out sweet and tender, blending perfectly with the beef. The slow cooking made the meat incredibly juicy. Swiss cheese melted into perfection over the top. Even my picky husband liked it and ate more than one serving. Bonus—you can make amazing sandwiches the next day. Easiest way to transform plain meatloaf into something special.
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Updated on Sat, 05 Apr 2025 18:09:36 GMT
A zoomed-in shot of a lasagna slice covered in gooey cheese and decorated with fresh herbs. Pin it
A zoomed-in shot of a lasagna slice covered in gooey cheese and decorated with fresh herbs. | tasteofmoms.com

Mouthwatering French Onion Meatloaf Using Your Slow Cooker

I've tweaked the traditional meatloaf with French onion flavors, and it's become my go-to comfort meal. The slow cooker keeps everything super moist while those sweet onions work their flavor magic below. When that Swiss cheese gets all gooey on top, you're in for a real treat. The best part? Your kitchen smells incredible while the cooker does all the hard work.

What Makes This French Onion Meatloaf Our Family Favorite

You can't mess up this French onion meatloaf when using a slow cooker. You'll get fancy steakhouse taste without standing in the kitchen forever. The meatloaf turns out incredibly soft and those onions become sweet as sugar. We always turn to this when our schedule's packed but we still want something tasty for dinner.

Ingredients You'll Want

  • Sweet onions: They become caramel-like and wonderful in the slow cooker.
  • Ground beef: A leaner blend gives the best results.
  • Italian herb breadcrumbs: They add moisture and punch up the flavor.
  • Milk: This is the secret to super tender meatloaf.
  • French onion soup mix: My hidden trick for knockout taste.
  • Cooking sherry: Even a tiny bit makes everything tastier.
  • Swiss cheese: It turns perfectly gooey and golden.
  • Fresh thyme: Adds a nice finishing touch.
A close-up of sliced meatloaf topped with melted cheese and caramelized onions, garnished with fresh herbs on a wooden serving board. Pin it
A close-up of sliced meatloaf topped with melted cheese and caramelized onions, garnished with fresh herbs on a wooden serving board. | tasteofmoms.com

Cooking Steps

The Onion Base
Put your sliced onions at the bottom of the slow cooker with butter salt pepper and a touch of sugar. They'll turn wonderfully sweet and golden.
Prepare Your Meatloaf Mix
Gently mix ground beef breadcrumbs milk egg and that tasty onion soup mix until barely combined.
Build Your Layers
Drizzle sherry over those lovely onions then place the meatloaf mix right on top. Let it cook low and slow until perfectly done.
Add The Cheesy Top
Cover with Swiss cheese slices and wait for them to melt into gooey goodness.
Ready To Enjoy
Cut into slices and top with those amazing onions a sprinkle of fresh thyme makes it look fancy.

Helpful Cooking Tricks

Mix your meat as little as possible or your French onion meatloaf could end up tough. Always use a meat thermometer to make sure it reaches 160°F. Be patient with the onions they'll taste way better the more they caramelize.

Perfect Pairings

This French onion meatloaf tastes amazing with a side of buttery mashed potatoes that soak up all the juices. Throw in some fresh green beans or a crisp salad too. Grab a glass of Pinot Noir and you've got yourself a fancy dinner without leaving home.

A close-up of a juicy meatloaf topped with caramelized onions and melted cheese, garnished with fresh thyme, served on a wooden plate. Pin it
A close-up of a juicy meatloaf topped with caramelized onions and melted cheese, garnished with fresh thyme, served on a wooden plate. | tasteofmoms.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I cook the onions in a pan instead?

Of course! Cooking them in a pan for 15-20 minutes will give the same caramelized result as long hours in the slow cooker.

→ What kind of cheese should I use?

Swiss is great, but Gruyère or provolone are good options too since they’re both melty and flavorful.

→ What if I don’t have cooking sherry?

Beef broth is a good substitution, but sherry does add something extra to the taste.

→ When is the meatloaf fully cooked?

Stick a thermometer into it. When it hits 160°F, you’re good to go.

→ Can I prep this ahead of time?

You can get everything ready beforehand, but cook it fresh for the perfect texture and taste.

Onion Meatloaf

A soft meatloaf loaded with onion flavor, topped with rich caramelized onions and melty Swiss cheese. Comfort food made easy.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
740 Minutes
Total Time
750 Minutes
By: Ashley

Category: Beef

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (1 loaf of meatloaf)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 3-4 big sweet onions, cut into slices.
02 4 tbsp salted butter.
03 1 tbsp olive oil.
04 1 tsp salt (preferably sea salt).
05 1 tsp ground black pepper.
06 1 tsp granulated sugar.
07 1 lb ground beef or hamburger meat.
08 1 cup breadcrumbs seasoned with Italian herbs.
09 1 cup whole milk.
10 1 large egg.
11 1 packet of soup mix (French onion flavor).
12 1/2 cup sherry for cooking.
13 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce.
14 4 ounces cheese like Swiss, Gruyère, or provolone.
15 Fresh thyme, optional garnish.

Instructions

Step 01

Toss the sliced onions into a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with sugar, pepper, and salt. Add butter, set the heat to LOW, and let it cook for 9 hours.

Step 02

Take a bowl and combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, soup mix, and egg. Form everything into a loaf shape.

Step 03

Pour the Worcestershire and sherry over the onions. Then place the shaped meatloaf right on top.

Step 04

Turn to HIGH and let it cook for 3 hours. The inside should reach 160°F.

Step 05

Lay slices of cheese on top of the loaf. Cook for another 20-30 minutes until it melts nicely.

Step 06

Instead of slow cooking, you can caramelize the onions in a pan on the stove for 15-20 minutes.

Notes

  1. Pair the meatloaf with the cooked onions and juices from the pot.
  2. Sprinkle some thyme as a finishing touch, if you'd like.
  3. To save time, consider cooking the onions on the stove first.

Tools You'll Need

  • A slow cooker, about 6 quarts.
  • A big bowl for mixing.
  • A thermometer to check the meat temperature.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy products like milk and cheese.
  • Contains wheat from breadcrumbs.
  • Uses eggs.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 420
  • Total Fat: 28 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 25 g
  • Protein: 23 g