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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://savorandsimmer.com/cheesy-french-onion-meatballs-recipe/