Peel all onions. Cut 3 crosswise in half and cook in a wide pot in 1/4 l water covered with broth for 15-20 minutes.
Finely dice the remaining onion. Wash the thyme, dab dry and remove the leaves. Grate the gouda. Knead with the onion, onion cubes and thyme. Season with pepper.
Wash, halve and core the apples. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Drain onions, collect the cooking water. Place apples and onions in a large casserole dish with the cut surfaces facing upwards.
Spread the meat mass on top. Halve the slices of bacon and cover each slice with the mince. Mix cooking water with cream and pour over onions and apples. Bake in the preheated oven (electric cooker: 200 °C/circulating air: 175 °C/gas: level 3) for 30-35 minutes.
Peel and wash the potatoes, cover and cook in salted water for about 20 minutes. Drain, add butter and milk. Mash everything to puree. Season to taste with salt and nutmeg. Arrange onions and apples with mashed potatoes.
Drink tip: white wine, e.g. a Riesling.