Mini French Onion Meatloaf Recipe

These mini French onion meatloaves are packed with rich caramelized onions and topped with melty Gruyere cheese for a cozy, flavorful dinner that feels classic but a little elevated. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal!

Easy French Onion Meatloaf Recipe

• This recipe puts a fun spin on traditional meatloaf by turning it into individual mini loaves that cook faster and stay extra juicy.
• Caramelized onions add tons of flavor, while Gruyere cheese melts perfectly over the top.

Ingredients for French Onion Meatloaf

• Yellow Onions: The star of the recipe, providing that classic French onion flavor. Sweet onions can also be used.
• Dry White Wine: Helps deglaze the pan and adds depth to the onions. Pick something you enjoy drinking, or use beef broth as a non-alcoholic substitute.
• Ground Beef: Forms the base of the meatloaf. A 90/10 blend keeps the loaves juicy without being greasy. Ground turkey or ground chicken will work if you prefer, but you’ll be sacrificing some serious flavor with leaner meats.
• Onion Soup Mix: Boosts the onion flavor and seasons the meat perfectly. While Lipton onion soup mix is probably the most recognizable brand, you can use any brand of onion soup mix. My personal favorite is the Simply Organic French Onion Soup Mix from Sprouts.
• Italian Breadcrumbs: Help bind the meatloaf and keep it tender. Plain breadcrumbs or panko will also work.
• Half and Half: Adds moisture and richness to the meat mixture. Milk or heavy cream can be substituted.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, savory bite throughout the meatloaf. Romano or Asiago cheeses are good alternatives.
• Egg: Helps bind everything together so the meatloaves hold their shape.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami and depth of flavor. Soy sauce can be used in a pinch.
• Gruyere Cheese: Melts beautifully on top and gives classic French onion flavor. Swiss cheese is a great substitute.

How to Make French Onion Meatloaf

Melt butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add diced onions and salt, cooking slowly and stirring every few minutes until deeply caramelized. Deglaze with wine, scraping up the browned bits, then set aside to cool.

Add most of the cooled onions to a large bowl along with ground beef, onion soup mix, breadcrumbs, half and half, Parmesan, egg, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper.

Mix just until combined.

Divide the mixture into four equal portions and gently shape into mini meatloaves.

Place the loaves on a parchment-lined 9×13 baking sheet and bake until mostly cooked through.

Spoon remaining caramelized onions over each loaf, top with shredded Gruyere.

Bake until the cheese is melted and the meatloaves reach 160 degrees internally. Let the meatloaves rest briefly before serving, and enjoy with crockpot mashed potatoes and air fryer green beans.

Tips for Making French Onion Meatloaf

• Take your time caramelizing the onions. This is where a lot of the flavor of the meatloaf comes from.
• Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to keep the meatloaf tender.
• Mini loaves cook faster and more evenly than a single large meatloaf, so keep an eye on them to prevent them from overcooking.

Make-Ahead Instructions

• The meat mixture can be assembled and shaped into mini loaves up to one day in advance.
• Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Make a Regular-Size Meatloaf Instead

• You can make this in a 9×5 loaf pan, but it will only fill it about halfway.
• Most meatloaves are made with 2 pounds of ground beef, so if you want a regular, full-size meatloaf, double everything and press it into a 9×5 loaf pan.
• Then bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour and 10 minutes or until the internal temp reaches 160 degrees.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing French Onion Meatloaf

• You can freeze the baked and cooled meatloaves for up to 3 months.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing.
• Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating French Onion Meatloaf

• Place meatloaves in a baking dish and cover with foil.
• Reheat in a 300-degree oven until warmed through.
• Or microwave gently in short intervals until hot.

Serving Suggestions

• crock pot mashed potatoes
• garlic mashed potatoes
• air fryer green beans
• broccoli cheese twice baked potatoes
• crock pot mac and cheese

Try these easy family dinner recipes next!