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French Onion Mini Meatloaves
Ingredients
- 2 tbspextra-virgin olive oil
- 2 largesweet onions
sliced 1/4-inch thick, about 5 to 6 cups
- 1 ½ tspkosher salt
divided
- 2 tbspplus 2 teaspoons dry sherry
divided
- ¾ cpanko
- 2 largeeggs
beaten
- 1envelope onion soup and dip mix
such as lipton recipe secrets
- 2 tspchopped fresh thyme
plus more for garnish
- 1 tspblack pepper
plus more for garnish
- 2 tbspworcestershire sauce
divided
- 2 lb85/15 ground beef
- 8 ozground pork
- ¼ cketchup
- 6 ozgruyère cheese
shredded, about 1 1/2 cups
- mashed potatoes
for serving
Directions
- 1
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add onions and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring often, until deeply golden brown, very soft and jammy, 35 to 45 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons sherry to skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until mostly evaporated, 15 to 30 seconds. Remove from heat and set aside until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes.
- 2
Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in the center position. Finely chop 1/2 cup caramelized onions and place in a large bowl; set the remaining caramelized onions aside.
- 3
Add panko, eggs, onion soup mix, chopped thyme, pepper, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt to bowl with caramelized onions; stir to combine. Add ground beef and ground pork and gently mix with clean hands until evenly combined.
- 4
Divide meat mixture into 6 equal portions (about 8 ounces each); form into 5- x 2-inch meatloaves. Place meatloaves on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet.
- 5
Bake the meatloaves for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, stir together ketchup, remaining 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and remaining 2 teaspoons sherry in a small bowl until smooth. Remove baking sheet from oven, brush ketchup mixture evenly over tops and sides of meatloaves. Return to oven and continue baking until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest portion of meatloaves registers at least 160°F, 5 to 10 minutes.
- 6
Remove baking sheet from oven and turn oven to broil with rack about 7 inches from heat source. Top meatloaves evenly with reserved caramelized onions, and sprinkle evenly with Gruyère (about 1/4 cup each). Broil until cheese is melted and starting to brown in spots, 3 to 5 minutes.
- 7
Garnish with additional fresh thyme and black pepper, and serve with mashed potatoes.
French Onion Mini Meatloaves
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 3 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Imagine the rich, savory depth of French onion soup married with the hearty satisfaction of classic meatloaf, all in one perfectly portioned bite. These French Onion Mini Meatloaves deliver exactly that, offering a delightful twist on two beloved comfort foods that will quickly become a family favorite. You'll love how this recipe brings together complex flavors in an approachable format.
This recipe truly shines by integrating deeply caramelized sweet onions directly into the meatloaf mixture, infusing every bite with that signature sweet and savory complexity. The clever addition of dry sherry and a full envelope of onion soup mix ensures a powerful flavor punch, making this individual meatloaf recipe anything but ordinary. It’s a smart mashup that elevates traditional comfort food.
Prepare for a truly comforting and satisfying experience. Each mini meatloaf is wonderfully savory, with the tender ground beef and rich ground pork providing a robust base. The jammy caramelized onions weave throughout the mixture, offering delightful pockets of sweetness that balance the savory notes, while the subtle kick from black pepper and fresh thyme elevates the overall profile. Topped with bubbly, golden-broiled Gruyère cheese, these individual meatloaves are juicy, flavorful, and incredibly hearty, perfectly sized for a substantial dinner.
While delicious as written, you can easily adapt these French Onion Mini Meatloaves to suit your pantry or preferences. For a slightly different cheesy topping, consider swapping out some of the Gruyère for another melty, savory cheese like Swiss or provolone. If sweet onions aren't on hand, yellow onions will still work effectively, though they may offer a slightly sharper, less sweet caramelized flavor. You could also experiment with different fresh herbs if thyme isn't your preference.
These French Onion Mini Meatloaves are ideal for a cozy family dinner, a satisfying weeknight meal, or any time you're craving something truly comforting. Serve them alongside a generous scoop of creamy mashed potatoes, as recommended, to complete this classic comfort food pairing.