🧅🤤 Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf with Melted Swiss Cheese
If you love the cozy, rich flavor of French onion soup and the hearty comfort of homemade meatloaf, this recipe is the ultimate mashup of the two! Tender, juicy beef slow-cooked in caramelized onions and beefy broth — then finished with melted Swiss cheese on top. It’s pure comfort in every bite! 💛
🥩 Ingredients
For the Meatloaf:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-style)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Onion Mixture:
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar (helps caramelize)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon thyme (optional, adds great flavor)
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
For Topping:
- 6 to 8 slices Swiss cheese (or provolone if preferred)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
🍳 Instructions
- Caramelize the onions:
In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sprinkle with sugar, garlic powder, and thyme. Cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring often, until the onions are soft, golden, and caramelized. Add ½ cup beef broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Set aside. - Prepare the meatloaf mixture:
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands or a spoon until well combined (don’t overmix or it’ll get tough). - Shape and assemble:
Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place it in your crockpot (slow cooker). Spoon half of the caramelized onions over the top, then pour the remaining beef broth around (not on top) of the meatloaf. - Slow cook:
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for about 3½–4 hours, until the meatloaf is fully cooked through and tender. - Add the cheese:
During the last 10–15 minutes, layer Swiss cheese slices over the top of the meatloaf. Cover again until the cheese melts into gooey perfection. 🧀 - Serve:
Carefully lift the meatloaf out of the slow cooker (it’ll be tender!) and spoon some of the rich onion gravy from the bottom over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra caramelized onions if you like.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions:
Pair it with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, or buttered egg noodles. The savory onion gravy makes a perfect sauce for all your sides!
💡 Tips & Variations:
- You can swap ground beef for half beef + half ground pork for extra juiciness.
- Add a splash of balsamic vinegar to your onions for deeper flavor.
- Love cheese? Mix some shredded Swiss into the meat mixture too!
🧡 Storage:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze slices for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.