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French Onion Meatballs Recipe

French Onion Meatballs Recipe

4.5 from 28 reviews

These French Onion Meatballs are a delicious twist on classic meatballs, featuring a savory blend of ground beef, caramelized onions, and gooey cheese. Perfect for a cozy dinner any night of the week.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 large yellow onions (thinly sliced)
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
  • Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well combined. Roll into 1-inch meatballs.
  2. Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides, about 6–8 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Caramelize the Onions: In the same skillet, add butter and sliced onions. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 20–25 minutes until deeply caramelized. Add sugar halfway through to enhance browning.
  4. Make the Sauce: Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir to coat. Gradually add beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, stirring constantly. Bring to a simmer and return meatballs to the pan. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through and sauce has thickened.
  5. Finish with Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top, cover, and cook for 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Notes

  • Serve over mashed potatoes, pasta, or toasted baguette slices.
  • For extra richness, add a splash of cream to the sauce before serving.

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