Description
French Onion Meatballs are a comforting and flavorful twist on the classic French onion soup, combined with tender, juicy meatballs. This dish features savory meatballs simmered in a rich caramelized onion sauce, topped with melted cheese for a cozy and delicious meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 3 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme)
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, garlic, thyme, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
- Caramelize the Onions:
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden and caramelized, about 20–25 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour over the onions, stir, and cook for another minute.
- Make the Sauce:
- Pour in the beef broth and white wine (if using), stirring to deglaze the skillet. Add thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Cook the Meatballs:
- Gently place the meatballs into the sauce. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, turning the meatballs halfway through cooking to ensure even doneness.
- Add the Cheese:
- Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese over the meatballs and cover until melted, about 2–3 minutes.
- Serve:
- Serve hot over mashed potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use a mix of ground beef and pork for the meatballs.
- Substitute Gruyère with mozzarella or provolone if preferred.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.