Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food that will quickly become a favorite with every bite. This dish puts a creative spin on the classic meatloaf, adding the deep, rich flavor of caramelized onions to elevate the taste. The slow simmering in the crockpot makes it incredibly tender, ensuring every mouthful is full of flavor.
Crockpot French onion meatloaf is a slow cooker American meatloaf with French influence. It mixes in juicy ground meat, the big flavors of French onion soup. The result is delicious, juicy and so satisfying.
This is made from condensed French onion soup and flavored with bread crumbs and eggs. It simmers for hours on end, allowing flavors to come together. The texture in the end is soft with a wonderful, savory crust. Many people finish it with cheese, typically Swiss or Gruyère. It creates a creamy layer reminiscent of French onion soup. Serve the meatloaf with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need any fancy ingredients to make crockpot French onion meatloaf. Here’s a basic list:
- 2 lbs ground beef or turkey
- French onion soup, condensed (1 can)
- Bread crumbs (1 cup)
- Eggs (2 large)
- Worcestershire sauce (1 tbsp)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- (optional) 1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyère cheese
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Step-by-Step Recipe
1: Prepare the Mixture
In a big bowl mix together the ground meat, soup, bread crumbs, and eggs. Season with salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Combine with hands until everything is evenly integrated.
2: Form the Loaf
Shape the meat into a loaf. Ensure it will fit inside your crockpot. You can use parchment paper to help lift it out later.
3: Slow Cook
Put the loaf in the crockpot. Set it on low for 6-7 hours. You may also cook on high for 3-4 hours.
4: Add Cheese (Optional)
After about 30 minutes, top the dish with cheese. Cover and let it melt.
5: Serve and Enjoy
Let it sit 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley.
Nutritional Information
Here is an estimate per serving (based on 6 servings):
- Calories: 410
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
Using lean meat can lower the fat. Skipping cheese also reduces calories.
How to make Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf better?
Opt for lean ground beef or turkey to avoid any greasiness. Be careful not to overmix, as the meatloaf will become dense. A delicate blend provides the pastry with a yielding bite.
Place parchment paper down in the base of the crockpot for easier lifting. It helps the loaf maintain its shape and cuts down on cleanup round 2. Allow the meatloaf to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing (its internal temp will rise to 155 degrees F while it rests). That helps the juices calm down.
Check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The middle should be at 160°F. If you are using cheese add it during the final 30 minutes so that it melts just right.
Think about sauces or glazes as an additional layer. A paste of ketchup and Worcestershire can make a great crust. Season liberally with herbs and spices to keep it from being bland.
If it’s texture ya crave, think about mixing in finely chopped onions or bell peppers. These add flavor and help keep things moist. For a smoky bent, you can use smoked paprika or liquid smoke.
Cook on low for best results. High heat may dry the loaf. With these easy tricks, your crockpot French onion meatloaf will be perfect.
Variations to Try
Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf is so delicious and such an appetizing meal and so easy to put together to your taste or preference for diet. Here are a few tasty interpretations to try:
Cheesy French Onion Meatloaf:
Toss shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese in the meat and place a layer more for good measure over the top for the last 30 minutes of slow cooking. The cheese melts into the meatloaf, yielding a gooey, satisfying bite.
Mushroom French Onion Meatloaf:
Sautéed mushrooms contribute earthy flavor and moisture. Stir chopped mushrooms directly into the meatloaf mixture or pile them on top to add umami depth.
Bacon Wrapped:
Roll the meat in bacon and put it in the crock pot. The bacon crisps as it contributes its smoky flavor, and it secures about half the moisture.
Low-Carb/Keto Version:
Substitute crushed pork rinds or almond flour for bread crumbs. And the sugar-free French onion soup mix ensures they don’t take a dive off of your keto friendly wagon.
Turkey or Chicken French Onion Meatloaf:
To make a leaner option, replace the ground beef with turkey or chicken. Just toss in some extra seasoning and moisture, such as a drizzle of olive oil or an egg yolk, to stave off dryness.
Gluten-Free Option:
Substitute gluten free breadcrumbs or oats and be sure your French onion soup mix is certified gluten free.
Mini Meatloaf Muffins:
Shape mixture into mini meatloaf “muffins” (I used a decorative muffin tin that is a crock pot safe). These are great for portion control and faster cooking.
Spicy French Onion Meatloaf:
Add some diced jalapeños, chili flakes or pepper jack cheese for a spicy twist that contrasts nicely with the sweet-savory onion taste.
Thanks to these tweaks your crockpot French onion meatloaf will remain fresh, fun, and just right for your family!
Side Dishes to Pair
Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf is delicious and comforting, a little slice of perfection when served with savory, well seasoned side dishes. Here are a few great additions to serve alongside and/or on top of your meal:
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
They’re creamy scallion mashed potatoes that will cool down the strong oniony flavors of the meatloaf. They’re great for soaking up all the juices and sauce.
Roasted Vegetables
Roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts and green beans are introduced, vegetables crisp and earthy against the soft, savory meatloaf.
Classic Green Beans Almondine
Blanched green beans are sautéed with slivered almonds and brightened with a squeeze of lemon, offering a bit of freshness and crunch to lighten the meal.
Buttery Dinner Rolls
Soft, buttery rolls are perfect for dipping in a sauce and make for a comforting, homemade treat.
French Onion Soup (Starter)
Embrace the theme and start with a cup of French onion soup. It leads in beautifully and adds to the mood/the tone of the main course.
Creamed Spinach
This smooth side also brings a silky texture and leafy green goodness that counteracts the richness of the meat.
Balsamic Glazed Carrots
Quick and easy glazed carrots are sweet and tangy and they complement the savory meatloaf while bringing brightness to your plate as well.
Caesar Salad
On the lighter side, there’s always crisp Caesar salad for crunchy croutons and creamy dressing without as much guilt.
Corn Pudding
A Southern favorite, this spud is kind of sweet, kind of custody in flavor, a real good buddy for the meaty, umami notes that are French onion.
Rice Pilaf
Or a plain rice pilaf with herbs so you can spotlight the meatloaf.
These are the perfect sides to go along with the savory meatloaf flavors! You can opt for mood — or what you’ve got in your pantry.
Crockpot Cooking Benefits
Crockpot cooker, or slow cooking, boasts a number of advantages that continue to make it a hit among busy households and home chefs looking for ease of use (without skimping on flavor). Here are some top advantages:
Time-Saving Convenience
It’s one of the top perks of crockpot cooking: You can “set it and forget it.” Just toss in with your ingredients in the morning, customize your setting, and let it cook while you get on with your day. Dinner is done when you’re ready and it doesn’t require an hour of babysitting.
Enhanced Flavor Development
Long cooking period can result in hours in a way that not only make the taste stronger, but that the ingredients to blend with herbs, spices and herbs. Which is how we end up with the sort of rich, hearty meals that make perfect use of the season, something like French onion meatloaf or stews that taste like they have been simmering for hours — because they have.
Tender, Juicy Results
This slow heat, moist heat cooking method is perfect for tougher cuts of meat, which take a long time to become tender and flavorful. It’s ideal with meatloaf, roasts or pulled pork so tender it practically eats itself.
Energy Efficient
Slow cookers consume far less electricity than an oven or stove running for several hours and can be left unattended all day.
Great for Meal Planning
Crockpots make it super simple to batch cook meals for the week. You can make a big batch and keep leftovers in the fridge or freezer for dinners or lunches later on.
Keeps Your Kitchen Cool
Because it doesn’t get the entire kitchen hot like an oven, crockpot cooking is also perfect for the warmer months.
Easy Cleanup
Many crockpots come with one dishwasher-safe insert, cutting down on dishes and cleanup time.
So when it comes to meal preparation, it has to be something simple if it’s going to be good. In general, crockpot cooking is the marriage of simplicity, tastiness, and practicality—an intelligent answer to getting a good meal you can enjoy at home.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Adding fatty meat: Makes the dish greasy
- Overcooking: Makes it dry
- Under seasoning: Leaves food tasting bland.
- Forgetting to rest time: Slices will turn into a mess
You’ll want to be precise with each step. The little things can determine an outcome.
Final Thoughts
Crockpot French onion meatloaf is a simple and tasty dinner option. It is part soup, part meatloaf. This process is made easy with a crockpot.
Whether you’re making dinner for your family or meal prepping, this recipe has you covered. Give it a whirl once, and it could become your regular comfort meal.