This recipe puts a cozy American meatloaf spin on the classic French onion soup. By combining humble ground beef with the deep flavors of slow cooked onions and nutty cheese you get a meal that bridges international comfort foods. Sundays in my house always meant something slow cooked like this waiting for us after a day outside.
A delicious beef dish with onions and cheese, served on a white plate.
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A delicious beef dish with onions and cheese, served on a white plate. | myhomemaderecipe.com
Pro Tips
For extra flavor toast your breadcrumbs in a dry pan before mixing in
If your onions are not browning add a pinch of sugar to help them caramelize
For even juicier beefloaf let it rest for fifteen minutes before slicing
This cozy beefloaf makes any weeknight feel special with barely any work. Let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting for a dinner everyone will look forward to.
Frequently Asked Questions
→ How do you make onions golden and sweet?
Slowly cook sliced onions in butter over medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 20 minutes until they become golden and caramelized.
→ Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, Gruyère or provolone are great alternatives, though Swiss cheese complements the onions especially well.
→ What is the best way to serve this dish?
Slice the beefloaf and serve warm, topped with extra caramelized onions and melted cheese for an impressive main course.
→ Can ground turkey be substituted for beef?
Yes, ground turkey can be used; just be mindful of moisture and adjust seasonings to taste.
→ How do you prevent the beefloaf from drying out?
Ensure there’s enough broth and cook on low heat for the recommended time to keep the beefloaf juicy and tender.
→ Is it possible to prep the dish in advance?
Yes. You can mix and shape the beefloaf plus caramelize the onions in advance, then assemble and cook when ready.
Crockpot French Onion Beefloaf
Slow-cooked beefloaf crowned with caramelized onions and melted Swiss, savory and satisfying.
Prep Time
25 Minutes
Cook Time
420 Minutes
Total Time
445 Minutes
By: Zaho
Category: Dinners
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: French-American
Yield: 8 Servings (1 large beefloaf)
Dietary: ~
Ingredients
→ Beefloaf Base
900 grams ground beef
120 grams breadcrumbs
50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
60 milliliters whole milk
2 large eggs
15 milliliters Worcestershire sauce
5 grams fine sea salt
2 grams freshly ground black pepper
→ Topping
2 large yellow onions
28 grams unsalted butter
240 milliliters beef broth
8 slices Swiss cheese
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly blend ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until uniform.
Form the beef mixture into a compact loaf and arrange gently in the base of the crockpot.
In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes or until deeply golden and softened.
Stir in beef broth to the caramelized onions, allowing it to absorb and enrich the mixture for 2 minutes.
Evenly spoon the caramelized onion and broth mixture over the prepared beefloaf inside the crockpot.
Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, or until the loaf is cooked through and juices run clear.
About 10 minutes before serving, layer Swiss cheese slices on top of the hot beefloaf, cover, and allow to melt completely.
Slice and serve warm, ensuring each portion is topped with melted cheese and caramelized onions.
Notes
Allow the beef mixture to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before shaping to enhance texture.
For best results, use freshly grated Swiss cheese for optimal melting and flavor.
Tools You’ll Need
Large mixing bowl
Crockpot or slow cooker
Medium skillet
Chef’s knife
Cutting board
Allergy Information
Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
