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Meatloaf Onion Twist

Featured in Savory Beef Dishes.

Juicy meatloaf meets savory caramelized onions and Gruyère cheese for a fresh take on French onion flavors. Great for cozy dinners with loved ones.
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Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 11:00:57 GMT
Sliced meatloaf covered in cheese and onions, sprinkled with parsley, sitting on a wooden board with bread nearby. Pin it
Sliced meatloaf covered in cheese and onions, sprinkled with parsley, sitting on a wooden board with bread nearby. | cuisinegenial.com

This homegrown French Onion Meatloaf puts a drool-worthy spin on an old-time favorite, mixing juicy beef with sweet, rich caramelized onions and stretchy Gruyère cheese. It turns regular meatloaf into something fancy you'd be proud to serve, working great for family nights or when you want to wow dinner guests.

What Makes This Meatloaf Special

This dish combines the warm feelings of classic meatloaf with the deep flavors you love in French onion soup. You'll taste something amazing in every bite thanks to the sweet onions, fresh thyme, and gooey cheese. It's super simple to put together but looks fancy enough for special dinners, so you can use it for both everyday meals and celebrations.

What You'll Need For Your Meatloaf

  • Butter: 4 tablespoons for cooking down the onions.
  • Fresh Parsley: 1/4 cup chopped, to sprinkle on top.
  • Salt and Pepper: 2 teaspoons each.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: 2 tablespoons.
  • Fresh Thyme: 2 tablespoons, chopped.
  • Gruyère Cheese: 2 cups shredded, split in half.
  • Beef Broth: 1/2 cup, strong stuff.
  • Eggs: 2 large, to hold everything together.
  • Breadcrumbs: 1 cup plain or with herbs.
  • Garlic: 4 cloves, finely chopped.
  • Yellow Onions: 3 large, cut into thin slices.
  • Ground Beef: 2 pounds, with 20% fat content.

How To Make It

Rest and Serve
Let it sit for 10-15 minutes after baking. Then lift it out using the parchment paper handles. Throw some fresh parsley on top if you want.
Add Cheese Topping
Scatter the other 1/2 cup of Gruyère on top. Pop it back in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese gets all bubbly and golden. Make sure the meat hits 160°F (71°C) inside.
Initial Bake
Cook it uncovered for 45 minutes. You can pour off extra liquid if you want to.
Layer the Meatloaf
Push half the meat mix into your pan. Make a little hollow in the middle and fill it with the rest of your onions and 1/2 cup cheese. Cover with the leftover meat mix, making sure to seal the edges.
Mix the Meatloaf Base
In a big bowl, throw together your beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, half the onions you cooked, 1 cup Gruyère, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix it all up with your hands but don't go crazy – just until it's combined.
Prepare the Oven
Heat it to 350°F (175°C). Put parchment paper in a 9x5-inch loaf pan with some hanging over the sides so you can lift it out later.
Caramelize the Onions
Melt butter in a big pan over medium heat. Throw in your sliced onions and cook them for 30-40 minutes. Stir now and then until they turn dark golden brown. Add your chopped garlic for the last 2 minutes. Set it aside to cool down completely.

What To Serve With It

Cut your meatloaf into slices and serve it alongside some buttery mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, or a crisp salad. The cheesy top tastes amazing when you've got some crusty bread to soak up all those flavors. Add a sprinkle of fresh thyme to make it look fancy and bring out all those delicious tastes.

A delicious meatloaf topped with caramelized onions and melted cheese, garnished with chopped parsley, served on a white plate. Pin it
A delicious meatloaf topped with caramelized onions and melted cheese, garnished with chopped parsley, served on a white plate. | cuisinegenial.com

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

Put any extra meatloaf in a container with a tight lid and keep it in your fridge for up to 4 days. When you want to eat it again, warm slices in the microwave with a damp paper towel on top to keep it juicy, or heat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes. Don't freeze it if you want it to stay tasty and keep its nice texture.

Ways To Switch It Up

Try using different cheeses like cheddar or mozzarella to change things up. You can mix in some cooked mushrooms or peppers for more crunch. A little drizzle of balsamic glaze or some onion jam on top adds extra flavor. You can also swap the beef for ground turkey or mix beef and pork together if you want something different.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s the benefit of caramelizing onions first?
Cooking the onions slowly brings out their sweetness and adds rich flavor that makes this dish stand out. It’s worth the extra time!
→ Can I swap Gruyère for another cheese?
Sure! Opt for Swiss or anything that melts smoothly and has bold, rich flavors for the best result.
→ How can I tell if the meatloaf’s fully cooked?
The safest way is using a meat thermometer — ensure it reads 160°F (70°C) at the center.
→ Why should I let the meatloaf rest?
Resting for 10 minutes redistributes the juices inside, so every slice stays moist and keeps its shape.
→ Can I prep this ahead?
Of course! Mix and shape it earlier, then chill until you’re ready to bake. You can caramelize onions ahead, too.

Conclusion

Give your meatloaf a flavor boost with this French onion-inspired version.

Rich caramelized onions and gooey Gruyère cheese turn an everyday favorite into a deliciously fancy, homemade meal packed with comfort.

Meatloaf Onion Twist

This meaty dish blends caramelized onions and Gruyère cheese for a flavorful twist inspired by French onion soup. Ideal for a comforting dinner.

Prep Time
35 Minutes
Cook Time
70 Minutes
Total Time
105 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Beef

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (1 meatloaf)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 egg, whisked.
02 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
03 1 teaspoon thyme, dried.
04 1 1/2 pounds ground beef.
05 1/4 cup beef broth.
06 1/2 cup milk.
07 2 onions, sliced thin.
08 1 cup breadcrumbs.
09 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
10 2 garlic cloves, chopped fine.
11 1/2 teaspoon salt.
12 1 cup grated Swiss or Gruyère cheese.
13 2 tablespoons butter.
14 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and let it heat up.

Step 02

Drop the butter into a skillet warmed over medium heat. Toss in the onions, stirring occasionally, until they turn sweet and golden (around 20-25 minutes). Pour in some beef broth to scrape up the browned bits, then stir until the liquid disappears. Cool them off afterward.

Step 03

Toss the ground beef, breadcrumbs, garlic, milk, egg, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper into a big mixing bowl. Stir until everything's mixed up nicely.

Step 04

Mix half of the cheese and the cooled onions into the meat mixture. Form it into a loaf shape and set it into your baking dish.

Step 05

Pop it in the oven and let it cook for about an hour, or until it hits 160°F (70°C) inside.

Step 06

Sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheese over the top and bake for another 5-10 minutes until it’s bubbly and melted.

Step 07

Once it's out of the oven, let it sit for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve with whatever sides you like best.

Notes

  1. Great for a cozy family meal.
  2. Blends the flavors of French onion soup with a home-cooked classic.

Tools You'll Need

  • Frying pan.
  • Oven-safe dish.
  • Large bowl for mixing.
  • Food thermometer.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy products.
  • Has egg ingredients.
  • Includes wheat components.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~