Description
Hearty french onion meatloaf combines classic comfort with rich, savory flavors from caramelized onions and melted cheese. Home cooks discover a satisfying dinner that elevates traditional meatloaf with elegant French-inspired ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz (56 grams) ground beef
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (120 ml) gruyère cheese (grated)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 large onions (thinly sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup (120 ml) breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: In a skillet, melt olive oil and butter over medium heat. Slowly sauté thinly sliced onions for 20-25 minutes, stirring periodically until deeply golden and richly caramelized. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, then set aside.
- Prepare Meatloaf Mixture: Blend ground beef with eggs, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Gently fold in half of the caramelized onions, mixing minimally to maintain meat’s tender texture.
- Shape and Initial Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mold meat mixture into a uniform loaf in a baking pan, ensuring even distribution. Bake for 45-50 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Create Onion Sauce: While meatloaf bakes, combine remaining caramelized onions with beef broth in a skillet. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, reducing liquid to create a rich, concentrated sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Remove meatloaf from oven and generously top with Gruyère cheese. Broil for 3-5 minutes until cheese melts and develops golden, crispy edges. Rest for 5-10 minutes, then slice and drizzle with onion sauce before serving.
Notes
- Caramelize Onions Perfectly: Take your time and cook onions slowly over medium heat, stirring occasionally to develop deep, rich golden-brown color without burning.
- Meat Mixing Technique: Gently fold ingredients together without overworking the ground beef to ensure a tender, juicy meatloaf that won’t become dense or tough.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 160°F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked meat without drying out.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Watch closely during broiling to achieve golden, bubbling cheese with crispy edges without burning, which takes just 3-5 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 415
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg