Description
Hearty french onion meatloaf brings classic comfort to dinner tables with rich, savory flavors. Caramelized onions and melted gruyère cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef
- 2 eggs
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese
Herbs, Spices, and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) beef broth
- 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) onion powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) dried thyme
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) for optimal cooking environment.
- Sauté onions in olive oil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until deep golden and caramelized, approximately 20 minutes. Allow onions to cool completely.
- Combine ground beef with breadcrumbs, eggs, mozzarella cheese, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Thoroughly blend ingredients using hands or a sturdy spatula.
- Gently incorporate cooled caramelized onions into meat mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Transfer meat mixture to a lightly greased loaf pan, carefully shaping into a uniform loaf with smooth edges.
- Roast in preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing meat to cook through and develop rich flavors.
- Remove meatloaf and generously sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese across the top surface.
- Return to oven and bake for additional 10-15 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
- Remove from oven and let meatloaf rest for 10 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and ensuring easier, cleaner slicing.
Notes
- Caramelize onions slowly over low heat to develop deep, rich sweetness without burning, which can make them bitter.
- Mix meat gently to keep the meatloaf tender and prevent a tough, dense texture by avoiding overmixing.
- Use fresh breadcrumbs instead of store-bought for a lighter, more delicate meatloaf that holds moisture better.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that’s still packed with flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 448 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg