Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf

Ingredients

• 3-4 large sweet onions, sliced
• 4 tablespoons salted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup Italian herb breadcrumbs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 oz. package French onion soup mix
• 1/2 cup cooking sherry
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 4 oz. Swiss Gruyère or provolone cheese
• Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish

Instructions

• Slice onions and lay them in the bottom of a 6 Qt. slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and sugar. Dot with butter. Set to cook on LOW for 9 hours. **Optional method is to cook onions in a skillet until caramelized, approximately 15-20 minutes**
• In a bowl, mix ground beef, bread crumbs, milk, egg, and onion soup mix. Shape into a loaf.
• Pour cooking sherry and Worcestershire sauce over the onions. Place the meatloaf on top of the onions. Cook on HIGH for 3 hours or until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
• Top meatloaf with cheese slices and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes until cheese is melted.
• Serve sliced with caramelized onions and juice from the cooker. Garnish with fresh thyme.