Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

Caramelize the Onions:

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are caramelized, about 20-25 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Remove half of the caramelized onions from the skillet and set them aside to cool.

Prepare the Meatloaf Mixture:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, beaten egg, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and the cooled caramelized onions.
Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Shape and Bake the Meatloaf:

Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and place it in the prepared loaf pan.
Pour the beef broth over the meatloaf to keep it moist while baking.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.

Add the Cheese and Onions:

Remove the meatloaf from the oven and sprinkle the shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese over the top.
Add the remaining caramelized onions on top of the cheese.
Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Serve:

Allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Serve hot and enjoy your Gourmet French Onion Meatloaf Delight!

Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cooking Time: 60 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Kcal: 350 kcal per serving | Servings: 6 servings