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French Onion Meatballs

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These French Onion Meatballs are a rich and comforting dish featuring juicy beef meatballs simmered in a savory, caramelized onion gravy topped with gooey melted cheese. Inspired by classic French onion soup, this dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or an impressive appetizer. Serve them over mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread for a hearty meal!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Savory & Comforting – Caramelized onions, beef broth, and melted cheese create deep flavors.
  • Juicy & Tender Meatballs – Made with a blend of beef, breadcrumbs, and seasonings.
  • One-Pan Meal – Easy to make with minimal cleanup.
  • Great for Meal Prep – The flavors get even better the next day!
  • Versatile – Serve as an appetizer or a full meal over mashed potatoes or pasta.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Meatballs:

  • Ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
  • Breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
  • Egg
  • Garlic (minced)
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • Salt & black pepper
  • Dried thyme
  • Olive oil (for frying)

For the French Onion Gravy:

  • Butter
  • Yellow onions (thinly sliced)
  • Garlic (minced)
  • Beef broth
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Flour (for thickening)
  • White wine (optional, for extra depth)
  • Fresh thyme or dried thyme
  • Salt & black pepper
  • Gruyère or Swiss cheese (shredded, for topping)

Directions

Step 1: Make the Meatballs

  1. Mix the Ingredients – In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and thyme. Mix gently until combined.
  2. Form the Meatballs – Roll into 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
  3. Brown the Meatballs – Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear meatballs until browned on all sides (about 5-7 minutes). Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Caramelize the Onions

  1. Melt Butter – In the same skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat.
  2. Cook the Onions – Add sliced onions and cook slowly for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown.
  3. Add Garlic & Deglaze – Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add white wine (if using) and scrape up browned bits.

Step 3: Make the French Onion Gravy

  1. Add Flour – Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir to coat. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
  2. Pour in Broth & Seasoning – Gradually whisk in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.

Step 4: Simmer & Melt the Cheese

  1. Return Meatballs to the Pan – Nestle meatballs into the onion gravy and let simmer for 10 minutes until fully cooked.
  2. Top with Cheese – Sprinkle Gruyère or Swiss cheese over the meatballs. Cover with a lid and let melt, or broil for 2-3 minutes until bubbly.
  3. Serve & Enjoy – Garnish with extra thyme and serve hot!

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes

Variations

  • French Onion Chicken Meatballs – Use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef.
  • Spicy Kick – Add red pepper flakes or cayenne to the meatball mix.
  • Extra Cheesy – Mix shredded cheese into the meatballs for an even cheesier dish.
  • Gluten-Free Option – Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and cornstarch instead of flour.

Storage/Reheating

  • Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze cooked meatballs and sauce for up to 2 months.
  • Reheating: Warm in a skillet over low heat or microwave in 30-second intervals.

FAQs

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes! Form and refrigerate the meatballs up to 24 hours before cooking.

What’s the best cheese for French onion meatballs?

Gruyère, Swiss, or provolone melts beautifully and adds the best flavor.

Can I make this dish without wine?

Yes! Simply use extra beef broth instead.

How do I get perfectly caramelized onions?

Cook them slowly over low heat and stir occasionally for the best deep golden-brown color.

What can I serve with these meatballs?

Mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, crusty bread, or rice pair well.

Can I bake the meatballs instead of frying?

Yes! Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-18 minutes, then add them to the sauce.

Can I use frozen meatballs?

Yes, but homemade meatballs have better flavor. Thaw before adding to the sauce.

How do I make this a soup instead?

Add extra beef broth and serve with toasted bread for a French Onion Meatball Soup.

Can I use caramelized onion jam instead of fresh onions?

Yes, but fresh caramelized onions give the best depth of flavor.

How do I prevent my meatballs from falling apart?

Don’t overmix the meat mixture, and let them rest before cooking.

Conclusion

These French Onion Meatballs combine the rich flavors of classic French onion soup with juicy, cheesy meatballs for the ultimate comfort food. Whether served over mashed potatoes, pasta, or with crusty bread, this dish is perfect for a cozy meal. Try it today and enjoy a restaurant-quality dish at home!

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French Onion Meatballs

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These French Onion Meatballs combine the rich, caramelized onion flavor of French onion soup with juicy, cheesy meatballs, all in a savory, beefy gravy. Serve them over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or crusty bread for the ultimate comfort food meal!

  • Author: Beth
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking & Stovetop
  • Cuisine: French-Inspired

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef & pork)
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup shredded Gruyère or mozzarella cheese (optional)

For the French Onion Gravy:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (to help caramelization)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups beef broth
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese (for topping)

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Meatballs

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, mix breadcrumbs and milk; let sit for 5 minutes to soften.
  3. Add ground beef, egg, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and shredded cheese (if using).
  4. Mix until just combined and roll into 1-inch meatballs.
  5. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes, until browned and cooked through.

Step 2: Caramelize the Onions

  1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
  2. Add sliced onions, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown and caramelized.
  3. Stir in garlic and thyme; cook for 30 seconds.

Step 3: Make the Gravy

  1. Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir for 1 minute.
  2. Slowly add beef broth, stirring constantly.
  3. Add Worcestershire sauce and simmer for 5 minutes, until thickened.

Step 4: Combine & Serve

  1. Add the baked meatballs to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes to absorb flavor.
  2. Sprinkle with shredded Gruyère and cover for 2 minutes until melted.
  3. Serve over mashed potatoes, noodles, or crusty bread.

Notes

  • Make it faster? Use store-bought meatballs and cook them in the sauce.
  • Extra cheesy? Stuff each meatball with a small cube of Gruyère before baking.
  • Want a richer sauce? Add ¼ cup red wine when adding broth.

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