Imagine the deep, caramelized flavor of French onion soup—sweet onions, rich beef broth, and melted Gruyère—folded into a tender, juicy meatloaf, then slow-cooked to perfection. That’s Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf: a comforting fusion of two classics that delivers restaurant-quality flavor with zero oven time.
Topped with a blanket of melted cheese and a glossy, savory onion gravy, this meatloaf is hands-off, crowd-pleasing, and ideal for busy days. And thanks to the slow cooker, it stays incredibly moist—no dry, dense loaf here!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
🧅 Infused with caramelized onion & thyme—deep, umami-rich flavor
⏱️ 15 minutes prep, then walk away
💛 Nostalgic comfort with a gourmet twist
💸 Costs under $8—feeds 6 generously
🌾 Naturally nut-free & easily gluten-free
Ingredients You’ll Need
(Serves 6 | 6-quart slow cooker)
For the Meatloaf:
1½ lbs (680g) ground beef (85/15 for best moisture)
½ lb (225g) ground pork or veal (or all beef if preferred)
1 cup finely diced yellow onion (about 1 large)
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup dry breadcrumbs (or panko; use GF if needed)
¼ cup whole milk
1 large egg, beaten
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
For the French Onion Topping:
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp thyme
½ cup beef broth
1 cup (4 oz) shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
💡 Pro Tips:
Don’t skip caramelizing the onions—it’s the flavor foundation!
Use freshly shredded cheese—pre-shredded won’t melt as smoothly.
Line slow cooker with parchment sling for easy removal.
Step-by-Step Instructions (Savory, Juicy, Foolproof)
see next page
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