Cheesy French Onion Meatballs Recipe

Introduction

These Cheesy French Onion Meatballs combine tender, flavorful beef with a rich caramelized onion sauce and melted Gruyère cheese. Perfect as a comforting main dish, they bring the taste of classic French onion soup into an easy-to-make meatball dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a plate or tray while you prepare to cook.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides, about 6 to 8 minutes. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sprinkle with sugar. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle the flour over the caramelized onions and stir well to coat evenly. This will help thicken the sauce.
6. Step 6: Slowly add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce to the skillet. Scrape the bottom to deglaze and bring the mixture to a simmer, letting it thicken slightly.
7. Step 7: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet with the sauce. Cover and let them cook together for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the meatballs to cook through.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese over the meatballs. Cover again and cook for a few more minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Step 9: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm, spooning plenty of French onion sauce over the meatballs.

Tips & Variations

• For extra moisture, soak the breadcrumbs in a little milk before mixing into the meatballs.
• Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of the meatballs.
• Use white wine instead of beef broth for a slightly different depth of flavor in the sauce.
• Try adding a pinch of thyme or rosemary to the meatball mixture for an herbal twist.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. For longer storage, freeze the meatballs and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatballs and sauce separately a day ahead. Cook the meatballs fully and refrigerate the sauce. Reheat together before serving for best results.

What cheese works best for this recipe?

Gruyère or Swiss cheese melts beautifully and complements the onions well, but you can also use mozzarella or fontina for a milder flavor.

Cheesy French Onion Meatballs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 86 reviews

Cheesy French Onion Meatballs combine juicy ground beef meatballs with a rich, caramelized onion sauce and melted Gruyère cheese, creating a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for any occasion.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Meatballs:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Sauce and Finishing:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Then, roll the mixture into 1-inch diameter meatballs and set them aside.
2. Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the meatballs in the skillet and brown them on all sides, which should take about 6 to 8 minutes. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
3. Make the French Onion Sauce: Using the same skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sprinkle with sugar. Cook the onions while stirring frequently until they caramelize into a deep golden brown color, approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Thicken the Sauce: After the onions have caramelized, sprinkle the flour evenly over them and stir well to coat. This will help thicken the sauce as it cooks.
5. Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the beef broth and add Worcestershire sauce. Scrape the bottom of the skillet to deglaze and incorporate any browned bits, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
6. Combine and Finish: Return the meatballs to the skillet with the sauce and spoon some sauce over them. Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese on top, covering the meatballs and sauce, and allow the cheese to melt slightly from the residual heat.
7. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot, enjoying the rich flavors of the cheesy French onion meatballs.

Notes

• Be sure to cook the onions low and slow to develop deep caramelized flavor without burning.
• You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free thickener like cornstarch.
• Serve these meatballs over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

Keywords: French Onion Meatballs, Cheesy Meatballs, Ground Beef Meatballs, Caramelized Onion Sauce, Gruyère Cheese, Comfort Food