Name: Slow Cooker French Onion Meatloaf
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 255 min
Ingredients: 1 large onion (sliced); 1 tablespoon butter; 2 pounds lean ground beef; 1 envelope beefy onion soup mix; 3/4 cup italian bread crumbs; 2 eggs; 3/4 cup milk; 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce; 8 sliced swiss cheese (divided); 10.5 ounce can french onion soup; Parsley for garnish

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This recipe takes all the best parts of traditional meatloaf and gives it a slow-cooked upgrade.

If you love the comfort of classic meatloaf but want something a little richer and more flavorful, this Slow Cooker French Onion Meatloaf is about to become a new favorite.

It’s hearty, full of flavor, and perfect for those days when you want a meal that practically cooks itself.

Whether it’s a weeknight meal or Sunday dinner, this dish feels like comfort food done right — simple, satisfying, and full of flavor.

As you make your way to the recipe, don’t skip the tips section — those small details help everything come out just right.

Serves: 6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 3-4 hours

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The slow cooker makes the process effortless, keeping the loaf moist while letting the onions and sauce develop that signature sweetness and depth.

It’s also incredibly family-friendly and perfect for make-ahead meals. The leftovers reheat beautifully, and that savory onion gravy actually gets better the next day.

It’s everything you could want in a simple, tasty, homestyle dinner, and it fills your kitchen with an incredible smell as it cooks.

A plate of mashed potatoes topped with a slice of meatloaf and sautéed onions, with green beans in the background.

How To Make Slow Cooker French Onion Meatloaf

Raw ground beef on a plate surrounded by slices of Swiss cheese, an onion, eggs, bread crumbs, milk, butter, Worcestershire sauce, and a bowl of soup mixture on a white surface.

Ingredients

1 large onion, sliced
1 tablespoon butter
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 envelope beefy onion soup mix
3/4 cup italian bread crumbs
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
8 sliced swiss cheese, divided
10.5 ounce can french onion soup Parsley for garnish

A cooked meatloaf topped with melted cheese slices and caramelized onions, sitting in a pool of its own juices.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. To a skillet over medium high heat add your onions and butter and let caramelize about 10 minutes until lightly browned.

Add to the slow cooker.

2. To a large bowl add your ground beef, beefy onion soup mix, bread crumbs, eggs, milk and worcestershire sauce.

3. Dice up 5 slices of the swiss cheese and add that to the mix.

A metal mixing bowl filled with ground meat, shredded cheese, breadcrumbs, chopped onions, and various seasonings on a white marble surface.

A stainless steel bowl filled with a mixture of ground meat and cheese chunks on a white marble surface.

4. Mix the meatloaf mixture until combined and shape into a loaf.

5. Add the loaf to the slow cooker.

Raw meatloaf mixture with cheese on top of cooked onions inside a slow cooker, ready to be cooked.

6. Pour the french onion soup over the top.

A meatloaf topped with cooked onions and sauce sits in a slow cooker with liquid at the bottom.

7. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 3 hours.

8. Five minutes before serving top with the remaining swiss cheese slices and cover until melted.

A cooked meatloaf topped with melted cheese and sautéed onions inside a black slow cooker.

9. Garnish with parsley.

A plate of meatloaf topped with caramelized onions, served on mashed potatoes with green beans, sits on a white plate with kitchen utensils in the background.

10. Slice and serve.

A plate of mashed potatoes topped with a slice of meatloaf and caramelized onions, served with green beans.

Tips, Tricks and Storage

Shape the Loaf Evenly: Form the meat mixture into a uniform shape so it cooks evenly from edge to center. Lining the slow cooker with parchment paper or foil makes removal easier.
Let It Rest: After cooking, let the meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the juices to absorb, so each slice stays moist.
Serve With Sides: Mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, roasted veggies, or even a soft dinner roll to soak up all that tasty sauce.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze slices for up to 3 months — thaw overnight and reheat gently in the oven or microwave. If it thickens, add a small splash of broth or water to the sauce when reheating to loosen it up.

A plate with a slice of meatloaf topped with onions, served on mashed potatoes with a side of green beans.

Variations

You can easily make a few small adjustments to make this recipe your own.

For a hint of sweetness, add a few sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions directly into the meat mixture. Want a bit of kick?

Mix in a few dashes of hot sauce for depth. And if you prefer a little crunch, top with crispy fried onions just before serving.

Substitutions

Ground Beef → Ground Turkey or Pork

Ground turkey gives a leaner, lighter option, while pork adds extra richness. Both hold up beautifully in the slow cooker.

Beefy Onion → Dry Onion Soup Mix

If you don’t have a package of beefy onion soup mix, dry onion soup mix works just as well. You can also add some thyme to the mix if you’d like.

Breadcrumbs → Crushed Crackers or Oats

If you’re out of breadcrumbs, either option works to bind the mixture without changing the flavor too much.

Ketchup Topping → Gravy or BBQ Sauce

Skip the traditional ketchup glaze for a more savory finish. Onion gravy or a smoky barbecue sauce both complement the flavor nicely.

Swiss Cheese → Gruyere or Provolone

Any good melting cheese will work here. Each gives the dish a slightly different flavor profile. Top with the cheese just 5 minutes before serving so that it melts perfectly.

A plate with a slice of meatloaf topped with onions, served over mashed potatoes and green beans, sits on a wooden board with a wooden spoon beside it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I keep the meatloaf from falling apart?

Make sure you use enough binder — breadcrumbs and eggs help hold everything together. Letting it rest before slicing also helps it firm up.

Q: Can I double the recipe?

Yes, but make sure your slow cooker is large enough to hold the loaf without crowding. You may need to increase the cooking time by about an hour.

Q: How do I know it’s done?

The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C). A meat thermometer makes this easy to check without overcooking.

Q: Can I bake it instead of slow cooking?

Definitely, place the loaf in a baking dish and cook at 375°F for 45–55 minutes, depending on size.

If you enjoyed this Slow Cooker French Onion Meatloaf, try more of our meatloaf favorites next. The Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Meatloaf and the Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe Meatloaf bring all of the tasty flavors together with these effortless slow cooker recipes.

Start Cooking

Prep Time:15

Cook Time:4

Total Time:4 15