Cheesy French Onion Meatballs Recipe
Cheesy French Onion Meatballs blend succulent ground beef meatballs with rich, caramelized French onion sauce and a topping of melted Gruyère cheese. This comforting dish brings together two classic flavors in one satisfying recipe, perfect for serving alongside crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or pasta to impress any dinner guest.
- Author: Ava
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-American
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
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Then shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and brown on all sides, about 6 to 8 minutes, ensuring they form a nice crust. Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside.
- Make the French Onion Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the thinly sliced onions and sprinkle with sugar. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown. Then sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir to coat them, creating a roux.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the beef broth, dry white wine (if using), and Worcestershire sauce. Scrape the bottom of the skillet to deglaze and incorporate all browned bits. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Return the meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Cover and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to cook through the meatballs and blend flavors.
- Add the Cheese: Preheat your oven broiler. Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the meatballs and sauce. Place the skillet under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese melts thoroughly and turns bubbly and golden.
- Serve and Garnish: Optionally garnish with fresh parsley for a touch of color and freshness. Serve the cheesy French onion meatballs hot, accompanied by crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or pasta for a complete meal.
Notes
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the meatballs and caramelized onions a day ahead and store them separately to save time on the day of serving.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives and use gluten-free flour to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Storage: Leftovers should be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months for future meals.
Keywords: cheesy meatballs, French onion meatballs, caramelized onion sauce, comfort food, Gruyère cheese, ground beef recipe