Cheesy French Onion Meatloaf

A juicy, savory meatloaf slow cooked in a rich onion base, loaded with caramelized onions and melty cheese of your choice. Serve with mashed potato and homemade gravy.

Ingredients

• 500g ground beef
• 400g ground pork (or you can use 900g beef)
• 1 small onions, reserve rings then chop fine
• 1 packet onion soup mix (substitute below)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 60ml milk
• 60-120ml beef broth, to taste
• 1 large egg
• 50g grated mozzarella or cheddar
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 garlic clove minced

If serving with gravy

• 500 ml water
• 1 stock cube
• 3-4 tsp corn flour

Instructions

1. Pre-Heat the oven to 180C/350F
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork (if using), onion soup mix, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, chopped onion, black pepper and garlic.
3. Form the mixture into a loaf shape that will fit in your baking dish. decorate with onion rings.
4. Pour 60ml of beef broth around the sides of the meatloaf (not directly over the top).
   Note: If the dish is too large make a tin foil parcel.
5. If you want the meatloaf to stay extra moist, use the additional 60ml.
6. Cover with foil.
7. Bake in the oven for 1 hour plus 10-30 minute, until the meatloaf is cooked through.
8. Once the meatloaf is cooked, carefully remove/open the foil, dress with the cheese and bake or grill on high until melted and browning.
9. Remove it from dish and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. 
10. Slice and serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables or a side salad. Any gravy from the meatloaf can be served.

Gravy if making

1. Dissolve the stock cube in water and bring to the boil.
2. Lower the heat and slowly add half the corn flour, stirring until thickened.
3. Add the juices from the meatloaf and more corn flour needed to thicken further.

Substitute for Dry Onion Soup Mix

There is NO practical substitute other than to increase onions, reduce liquid (a little) and add salt or stock cubes, herbs and spices to taste, optional. Of course, if you are one of the minority who keeps a store cupboard with every herb and spice under the sun, you can easily make the substitution, otherwise maybe just go buy a soup mix.