French Onion Meatloaf

I love meatloaf – especially the sandwiches made from the leftovers – but I get tired of the same ol’ mushroom soup or tomato sauce covered loaf.  So as I played with ideas I thought – hey – I love french onion soup, how might that play out in a meatloaf?  Well I’m here to tell you it played out might fine!

What you need:

Meatloaf

• 2 pounds of ground beef
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 teaspoons fresh, minced garlic
• 4 Tablespoons chopped premium salami
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup panko bread crumbs
• 6 oz. Swiss cheese cut into ¼ inch thick slices

Sauce

• 2 cups sliced onions
• 2 Tablespoons of butter
• 4 Tablespoons of flour
• 1 ½ cup beef broth
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Do it:

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet.  Add the onion and salami and cook until the salami begins to crisp.  Remove from the heat and stir in the garlic.  In a large bowl, add the beef, onion mixture, salt, pepper, egg and panko bread crumbs.  I use my hands because I want all the ingredients well mixed.

Spray a roasting pan with cooking oil.  Separate the meat mixture into thirds.  Using one third, make a flat loaf in the bottom of the pan.

Lay 1/3 of the cheese on top of the meat.

Top that with another third, making sure to seal the edges to the cheese is inside the meat.  On the second layer, place another 1/3 of the cheese.  Top with the remaining meat and seal the edges.

Place in a hot, 350 degree oven and bake for about30-35 minutes.

Remove from the oven and add the remaining cheese on the top, then put it back into the oven for another 15 minutes.

While the meat is finishing cooking, heat the butter for the sauce in a large skillet.  Add the onions and cook until they are golden brown and fragrant, but not crispy.

Stir in the flour and cook until you have a light brown roux.  Add the broth and stir constantly until all the ingredients are blended.

Add the cream and continue to cook until the sauce is thick and creamy.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Slice the meatloaf and place on plates –

top with a good helping of the sauce.

Serve with hot mashed potatoes!

Makes 4 servings (and the leftovers make an amazing sandwich!)

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