Cheesy French Onion Meatballs Recipe

Introduction

These Cheesy French Onion Meatballs are a comforting twist on a classic favorite, combining savory meatballs with rich, caramelized onion sauce and melted Gruyère cheese. Perfect for a cozy dinner, they bring together hearty flavors in an easy-to-make dish.

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, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. Step 2: Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides for about 6–8 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add the thinly sliced onions and sprinkle with sugar. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until onions are caramelized and golden brown, about 15–20 minutes.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle the flour over the caramelized onions and stir well to coat.
6. Step 6: Add beef broth and Worcestershire sauce to the skillet. Scrape the bottom to deglaze and bring the mixture to a simmer.
7. Step 7: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet with the sauce. Cover and simmer gently for 10–15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
8. Step 8: Preheat the broiler. Sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the meatballs and sauce. Place the skillet under the broiler for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Step 9: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot alongside crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or pasta.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, soak the breadcrumbs in a little milk before mixing into the meatball mixture.
• Use a mix of beef and pork for juicier meatballs.
• Swap Gruyère with Swiss or mozzarella cheese for a different melt and taste.
• Caramelize the onions slowly and patiently for the best depth of flavor.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat until warmed through, or microwave in short intervals. Avoid reheating under the broiler to prevent overcooking.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatballs in advance and refrigerate them before cooking. Just shape them and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before browning and continuing with the recipe.

What can I serve with these meatballs?

These meatballs pair beautifully with crusty bread, creamy mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or even a simple green salad for a complete meal.

Cheesy French Onion Meatballs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 119 reviews

These Cheesy French Onion Meatballs combine juicy, seasoned beef meatballs with a rich, caramelized onion sauce topped with melted Gruyère cheese. Inspired by classic French onion soup flavors, this comforting dish is perfect served with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or pasta for a cozy meal.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: French-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, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are evenly incorporated then roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
2. Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides, which should take about 6–8 minutes. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
3. Make the French Onion Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the thinly sliced onions and sprinkle with sugar to aid caramelization. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, approximately 15–20 minutes.
4. Thicken the Sauce: Sprinkle flour over the caramelized onions and stir well to coat them evenly. Then add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping the skillet bottom to deglaze and lift all browned bits. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
5. Combine and Simmer: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the onion sauce. Cover the skillet and let everything simmer gently for 10–15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the meatballs to cook through.
6. Add the Cheese: Preheat your oven broiler. Sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the meatballs and sauce. Place under the broiler for 2–3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
7. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve the meatballs hot alongside crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or pasta to soak up the rich sauce.

Notes

• For extra flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan and Gruyère cheese.
• If you prefer a lower-fat option, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
• Caramelizing onions slowly is key to developing the rich French onion flavor; don’t rush this step.
• Broiling cheese adds a wonderful texture and flavor; watch carefully to avoid burning.
• This dish pairs beautifully with sides like crusty French bread, creamy mashed potatoes, or buttered noodles.

Keywords: Cheesy meatballs, French onion sauce, caramelized onions, Gruyère, comfort food, beef meatballs, hearty dinner