French Onion Meatballs – Slow-Cooked & Flavorful 🍽️
These tender, juicy meatballs are slow-cooked in a rich French onion gravy, making them the perfect comfort food for a cozy dinner or entertaining guests. Serve them as an appetizer or pair with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
✔ 1 lb ground beef
✔ 1 packet French onion soup mix
✔ ½ cup breadcrumbs
✔ ¼ cup milk
✔ 1 egg
✔ ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
✔ 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the French Onion Gravy:
✔ 2 large onions, thinly sliced
✔ 2 cups beef broth
✔ 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
✔ Salt and black pepper, to taste
✔ Fresh thyme, for garnish
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Meatballs
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, French onion soup mix, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, and Parmesan cheese.
- Mix until well combined but avoid overmixing (this keeps the meatballs tender).
- Roll into evenly-sized meatballs (about 1-1.5 inches in diameter).
2️⃣ Brown the Meatballs
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides (they don’t need to be fully cooked).
- Transfer the browned meatballs to the slow cooker.
3️⃣ Caramelize the Onions
- In the same skillet, add sliced onions and cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and caramelized.
- Layer the caramelized onions over the meatballs in the slow cooker.
4️⃣ Make the Gravy
- In a small bowl, whisk together 2 cups beef broth and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.
- Pour the mixture over the meatballs and onions in the slow cooker.
5️⃣ Slow Cook to Perfection
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.
6️⃣ Garnish & Serve
- Sprinkle with fresh thyme for added flavor.
- Serve hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles for a complete meal.
Tips & Variations
✔ Extra Rich Gravy: Add 1 tablespoon butter for a silkier texture.
✔ Cheesy Twist: Top with shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese before serving.
✔ Thicker Sauce: Stir in 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
✔ Make it Lighter: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
🌟 **Enjoy these rich, savory French Onion
