Slow Cooker French Onion Meatloaf
This French Onion Meatloaf brings all the bold, beefy flavor of your favorite soup into one hearty dish.
Slow Cooker French Onion Meatloaf
If you’ve ever wished meatloaf had just a little more flavor, this Slow Cooker French Onion Meatloaf is going to change your mind.
It takes the comfort of a classic meatloaf and adds the rich, savory taste of French onion soup.
You still get that hearty, stick-to-your-ribs kind of dinner—but with lots of delicious flavor that doesn’t require any extra work in the kitchen.
Your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day. If you’ve got a packed afternoon, this recipe is a lifesaver.
It’s great for weeknights, but nice enough to serve when friends or family come over.
If your family is anything like mine, there won’t be much left over. This one’s warm, filling, and easy to slice and serve.
Try it once, and I bet it’ll end up on repeat in your meal plan.
Ingredients
Onion: A sweet yellow onion works best for caramelizing, but white onions can also be used if that’s what you have. Slice them thin so they cook evenly and get that nice golden color.
Butter: Real butter gives the best flavor when caramelizing the onions.
Ground beef: An 85/15 mix strikes a good balance between moisture and flavor.
Beefy onion soup mix: This adds a lot of seasoning without needing extra spices. You can use store-bought or homemade.
Italian bread crumbs: These help bind the meatloaf and add flavor. If you only have plain bread crumbs, you can add a pinch of Italian seasoning.
Eggs: These hold everything together.
Milk: It keeps the meatloaf moist.
Worcestershire sauce: This gives the meatloaf a deeper, savory flavor. A little goes a long way.
Swiss cheese: Dice some for the meat mixture and save the rest for the melty topping.
French onion soup (canned): This is poured over the meatloaf to keep it juicy and add extra flavor.
Parsley: Optional, but I like to sprinkle some on just before serving.
How to Make
To make this Slow Cooker French Onion Meatloaf, begin by slicing the onion thinly.
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the onions and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until they are soft and lightly caramelized.
Transfer the cooked onions to the bottom of the slow cooker.
In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef, beefy onion soup mix, Italian bread crumbs, eggs, milk, and Worcestershire sauce.
Dice 5 slices of the Swiss cheese into small pieces and add them to the bowl.
Use clean hands or a spoon to mix everything together until just combined.
Form the mixture into a loaf shape and place it gently on top of the onions in the slow cooker.
Pour the French onion soup evenly over the meatloaf.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid.
Cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 3 hours, until the meatloaf is cooked through.
Five minutes before serving, lay the remaining slices of Swiss cheese over the top of the meatloaf.
Cover again and let the cheese melt.
Carefully lift the meatloaf out of the slow cooker.
Sprinkle with chopped parsley if using.
Slice and serve warm.
Tips & Tricks
Here’s some tips for making this French Onion Meatloaf:
Caramelize in advance: Cook the onions the night before and store them in the fridge so they’re ready to toss into the slow cooker.
Swap cheeses: Not a fan of Swiss? Try provolone, mozzarella, or a mild cheddar for a different flavor.
Avoid overmixing: Mix the meatloaf just until combined to keep the texture tender. Overmixing can make it tough.
Add veggies: Finely grated carrots or zucchini can be mixed in if you’d like.
Leftovers/Storage
Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
To reheat, microwave slices for 1–2 minutes or warm in a 300°F oven until heated through.
To freeze, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, place in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker French Onion Meatloaf
Here are some of our favorites to serve with Slow Cooker French Onion Meatloaf:
- Mashed potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes soak up the extra onion gravy perfectly.
- Green beans: Steamed or sautéed green beans make the perfect side.
- Roasted carrots: Their sweetness pairs well with the meatloaf..
- Caesar salad: A fresh salad balances the richness of the meatloaf.
- Crusty bread: Use it to mop up every bit of the flavorful broth.
Slow Cooker French Onion Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 large onion sliced
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 envelope beefy onion soup mix
- 3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 8 slices swiss cheese divided
- 10.5 ounces French onion soup 1 can
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- To a skillet over medium high heat add your onions and butter and let caramelize for about 10 minutes until lightly browned. Add to the slow cooker.1 large onion, 1 Tablespoon butter
- To a large bowl add your ground beef, beefy onion soup mix, bread crumbs, eggs, milk and Worcestershire sauce.2 pounds lean ground beef, 1 envelope beefy onion soup mix, 3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs, 2 eggs, 3/4 cup milk, 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Dice up 5 slices of the swiss cheese and add that to the mix.8 slices swiss cheese
- Mix the meatloaf mixture until combined and shape into a loaf.
- Add the loaf to the slow cooker.
- Pour the French onion soup over the top.10.5 ounces French onion soup
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Five minutes before serving top with the remaining swiss cheese slices and cover until melted.
- Garnish with parsley.Parsley for garnish
- Slice and serve.
Please note that the nutritional content of this recipe will vary based on the specific ingredients used. For a detailed breakdown of the nutritional values, consider using a recipe nutrition calculator with the exact brands and measurements you’ve used.
