This comforting French Onion Meatloaf comes together in about 60 minutes and is baked in a single dish for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love!

Ingredients Breakdown

You’ll need just a handful of simple ingredients for this recipe, making it budget-friendly and accessible. Here’s what you’ll need:

1 lb ground beef: Ground beef is the foundation of your meatloaf. Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken if you want a lighter version!
1 cup caramelized onions: These are the secret star! They add rich flavor and sweetness. You can caramelize onions from scratch or use store-bought to save time.
1 cup shredded cheese: Swiss or Gruyère work beautifully for that classic French onion flavor, but feel free to mix it up with cheddar or mozzarella if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
1/2 cup breadcrumbs: They help bind everything together. Use plain or seasoned breadcrumbs according to your taste.
1/4 cup milk: Just a splash helps to keep the meatloaf moist.
1 egg: Another binder to keep your meatloaf nice and cohesive.
1 tsp garlic powder: For that extra flavor punch.
1 tsp dried thyme: Thyme pairs perfectly with the rich flavors of the meatloaf and onions.
Salt and pepper to taste: A couple pinches of each will elevate all the flavors.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Don’t skip this step; a good oven temp ensures even cooking and a beautifully browned top!
In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1 cup caramelized onions, 1 cup shredded cheese, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup milk, 1 egg, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper.Pro tip: Stir everything together gently until mixed but don’t overdo it, no one wants tough meatloaf!
Once everything is mixed, shape the mixture into a loaf shape. It should still have some height; we want it to brown nicely on all sides!
Place the meatloaf in a baking dish that’s been lightly sprayed with cooking spray or had a layer of parchment set down.
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C). Your kitchen will smell incredible at this point, just wait!
Once it’s out of the oven, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps maintain all those wonderful juices. Trust me, you won’t want to skip this part!
Slice, serve, and enjoy your delicious French Onion Meatloaf! Pair it with a simple side salad or some mashed potatoes for a full meal!

The best part is, you can use whatever you’ve got on hand to really make this adaptable. Got some mushrooms? Throw ’em in! Want to swap out the meat? Go for it! This French Onion Meatloaf is truly a family favorite, and I can’t wait for you to try it!

If you loved this French Onion Meatloaf, be sure to check out my Easy Turkey Meatloaf or my Homemade Cowboy Meatloaf!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick & Easy

This deliciously cozy French Onion Meatloaf comes together in under an hour, making it a fantastic choice for busy weeknights. The fact that it’s all baked in one dish makes cleanup a breeze!

Comfort Food

This dish is loaded with tons of flavor and is the ultimate comfort food! The combination of caramelized onions and melted cheese creates a satisfying experience that everyone will enjoy.

Customizable

One of my favorite parts? The customization! Use whatever ingredients you have on hand. Have leftover veggies? Toss ’em in. Switching the type of meat is super easy too like I mentioned before, ground turkey or chicken can totally work!

Budget-Friendly

Using everyday ingredients, this recipe won’t break the bank. Plus, you’re looking at a one-dish meal, so you won’t have to eat into your grocery budget for sides; keep it simple!

Make-Ahead Friendly

You can prep this dish ahead of time! Make the meatloaf in advance, cover it, and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. It’s perfect for meal prep!

Serving Suggestions

What to Serve With This

Mashed potatoes or creamy mashed cauliflower for a comforting twist.
Fresh green salad dressed lightly with vinaigrette adds a nice crunch.
Garlic bread to soak up all that amazing meatloaf flavor!

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. It stays surprisingly good even a few days later!

Reheating Instructions

The best way to reheat meatloaf is in the oven. Pop it back in at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through. If you’re using a microwave, do it in short bursts to avoid that rubbery texture, because nobody wants that!

Freezer Friendly

Yes! This French Onion Meatloaf freezes beautifully. Wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe bag. When you want to enjoy it, just let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

And there you have it! A delicious and heartwarming recipe for French Onion Meatloaf that’s ideal for busy families, packed with flavor, and quick to prepare. I hope this becomes a go-to at your dinner table just like it has at mine! Bon appétit! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.

Easy French Onion Meatloaf

Author: amelia
Total Time: 75 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: None

Print Recipe

Description

This comforting French Onion Meatloaf comes together in about 60 minutes, baked in a single dish for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love!

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef
1 cup caramelized onions
1 cup shredded cheese (Swiss or Gruyère)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup milk
1 egg
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, caramelized onions, shredded cheese, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic powder, dried thyme, and salt and pepper. Mix gently until combined.
Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a prepared baking dish.
Bake for 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C).
Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Feel free to customize with leftover veggies or different meats. Perfect for meal prep and can be made ahead and stored in the fridge.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 400
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 500mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 100mg