Ingredients
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Meat Base: 1 ½ lbs ground beef, ¾ cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, ½ cup milk.
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The Onions: 1 large onion (thinly sliced), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tbsp olive oil.
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Flavoring: 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, Salt and black pepper (to taste).
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The Topping: 6 slices Swiss cheese, ½ cup shredded mozzarella (optional).
Instructions
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Caramelize: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté sliced onions for 10–12 minutes until soft and golden. Add garlic for the last minute, then set aside.
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Mix: In a large bowl, gently combine the beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. Pro Tip: Stir in half of your caramelized onions now to flavor the meat from within.
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Shape: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the mixture into a loaf pan or shape it into a loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
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First Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes until the loaf is firm and nearly cooked through.
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Melt: Remove from the oven. Top with the Swiss cheese slices, the remaining caramelized onions, and mozzarella (if using).
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Final Bake: Return to the oven for 8–10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
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Rest: Let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes before slicing to ensure it stays moist.
Notes
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Don’t Overmix: When combining the meat and breadcrumbs, use a light touch. Overworking the beef leads to a tough, dense loaf.
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Cheese Variations: If you don’t have Swiss, Gruyère is the traditional choice for French Onion soup and melts beautifully here as well.
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The “Jus”: If you have extra beef broth on hand, you can simmer it down with a splash of sherry to serve as a side dipping sauce or gravy!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American