Ingredients
Caramelized Onions
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 medium yellow onions, petite diced (about 4 cups)
- A few splashes dry white wine
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (for onions)
Meatloaf Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef (90/10)
- 1 ounce packet onion soup mix
- 1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup half and half
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Topping
- 2 ounces shredded Gruyere cheese
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the diced onions along with 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, stirring every 5 minutes, for about 35-40 minutes until the onions are deeply caramelized. Deglaze the pan with a few splashes of dry white wine, scraping up all the browned bits. Remove onions from the pan and set aside on a plate to cool.
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the meatloaves.
- Combine Meatloaf Ingredients: In a large bowl, add about two-thirds of the cooled caramelized onions, ground beef, onion soup mix, Italian breadcrumbs, half and half, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, Worcestershire sauce, and season with a few large pinches of kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatloaf.
- Form Mini Meatloaves: Using your hands, gently combine the mixture thoroughly. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each into a mini meatloaf.
- Bake Meatloaves: Place the mini meatloaves on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Add Toppings: Spread the remaining caramelized onions evenly over each mini meatloaf and sprinkle shredded Gruyere cheese on top.
- Finish Baking: Return the meatloaves to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring they are fully cooked.
- Rest: Remove the meatloaves from the oven and allow them to rest for a few minutes to let juices redistribute.
- Serve: Serve your French Onion Meatloaves with your favorite side dishes like air-fried green beans and creamy mashed potatoes for a complete meal. Enjoy the rich flavors!
- Feedback: If you loved this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating and review to share your experience.
Notes
- Use ground beef with a 90/10 lean-to-fat ratio for moist and flavorful meatloaf.
- Caramelizing onions slowly over medium heat is key to bringing out their natural sweetness.
- Allow meatloaves to rest before serving to keep them juicy.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
- The leftover caramelized onions can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and used in other dishes.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on oven accuracy; use a meat thermometer for best results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American