Get ready to elevate your meatloaf game with this incredibly delicious Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf. This isn’t just any meatloaf; it’s a gourmet-inspired comfort food masterpiece. This Easy Meatloaf Recipe features a moist and flavorful meatloaf base that is slow-cooked to perfection, then smothered in a rich, savory, and sweet caramelized onion gravy and topped with a blanket of bubbly, melted Swiss cheese. It’s all the beloved flavors of French onion soup transformed into the Best Meatloaf Recipe you’ll ever make in a slow cooker.
Why This is the Ultimate Slow Cooker Meatloaf
This French Onion Meatloaf is a guaranteed family favorite for so many reasons.
- Incredibly Juicy and Tender: Cooking the meatloaf in the slow cooker is the secret to the most moist and tender result every single time.
- Packed with Flavor: The rich, savory, and slightly sweet caramelized onion sauce infuses the meatloaf with incredible flavor as it cooks.
- The Cheesy Topping: The melted Swiss cheese on top provides a nutty, creamy finish that perfectly complements the French onion flavors.
- Easy and Impressive: While it tastes like a gourmet meal, the Meatloaf Crock Pot method is surprisingly simple and hands-off.
Your Simple Ingredient Checklist
This recipe is broken down into the meatloaf and the amazing French onion sauce.
For the Meatloaf:
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper
For the French Onion Sauce & Topping:
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 slices of Swiss cheese
Step-by-Step Instructions
The secret to this recipe is in the rich, caramelized onion sauce.
Part 1: Prepare the Meatloaf and Sauce
- Make the Meatloaf Mixture: In a large bowl, use your hands to gently combine all the meatloaf ingredients: the ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Be careful not to overmix.
- Shape the Loaf: Shape the mixture into a firm oval loaf that will fit comfortably in your slow cooker.
- Caramelize the Onions: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes, until they are soft, sweet, and deeply golden brown.
- Finish the Sauce: Add the minced garlic, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and sugar to the skillet with the onions. Cook for another 5 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly. Season with salt and pepper.
Part 2: Slow Cook to Perfection
- Assemble in Crockpot: Place the shaped meatloaf into the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the prepared French onion sauce evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
- Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the meatloaf is cooked through (reaches an internal temperature of 160°F).
- Add the Cheese: In the last 30 minutes of the cooking time, lay the slices of Swiss cheese over the top of the meatloaf. Cover and continue to cook until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes before carefully removing it from the slow cooker, slicing, and serving. Spoon extra caramelized onion sauce over each slice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do I have to caramelize the onions first? For an authentic French Onion Meatloaf flavor, caramelizing the onions is a crucial step that you don’t want to skip. This process develops a deep, rich, and sweet flavor that is the signature of French onion soup. Simply sweating the onions won’t produce the same delicious result.
2. Can I make this Slow Cooker Meatloaf with a different kind of meat? Yes! You can make this recipe with a mix of ground beef and ground pork for an even richer flavor. Ground turkey would also work, but be sure to use a variety that is not too lean (like 93/7) to ensure the meatloaf stays moist.
3. What should I serve with this meatloaf? This meatloaf and its rich gravy are fantastic served with creamy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or a side of roasted asparagus or green beans. A simple green salad would also be a perfect accompaniment.
4. How do I prevent my meatloaf from being greasy in the Crock Pot? Using a leaner ground beef (like 90/10) is a great way to reduce the amount of grease. Another great trick for a Meatloaf Crock Pot recipe is to place a few small balls of aluminum foil in the bottom of the slow cooker and rest the meatloaf on top. This elevates the loaf out of the grease that renders out during cooking.
Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Large skillet for caramelizing onions
- Mixing bowl for meatloaf mixture
- Wooden spoon for stirring onions
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
- ¼ cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (for sauce)
- 1 tsp dried thyme (for sauce)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 6 slices Swiss cheese
Instructions
- In a large bowl, gently mix ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan, milk, egg, chopped onion, garlic, Worcestershire, thyme, salt, and pepper until just combined. Shape into a firm oval loaf.
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook slowly for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and golden.
- Add garlic, beef broth, Worcestershire, thyme, and sugar to the onions. Cook for 5 minutes until thickened slightly. Season with salt and pepper.
- Place the shaped meatloaf in the slow cooker. Pour the prepared onion sauce evenly over the top.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the meatloaf reaches 160°F.
- In the last 30 minutes, place Swiss cheese slices on top. Cover until melted and bubbly.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before removing. Slice and serve with extra onion sauce spooned over each slice.