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Cheesy French Onion Meatballs Recipe

Cheesy French Onion Meatballs Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 9 reviews

This delicious recipe features savory ground beef meatballs flavored with garlic, Parmesan, and Italian seasonings, simmered in a rich, caramelized French onion sauce, topped with melted Gruyère cheese. Perfect as a comforting main dish served alongside crusty bread or mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

Scale

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

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)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. 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, about 6–8 minutes total. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
  3. Make the French Onion Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sprinkle with sugar to aid caramelization. Cook the onions slowly, stirring frequently, until they turn golden brown and caramelized, about 15–20 minutes.
  4. Thicken the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the caramelized onions and stir to thoroughly coat them, cooking for about 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
  5. Add Liquids and Flavorings: Pour in the beef broth, white wine (if using), and Worcestershire sauce. Scrape the bottom of the skillet to deglaze and incorporate all browned bits. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  6. Combine and Simmer: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 10–15 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
  7. Add the Cheese: Preheat your oven’s broiler. Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the meatballs and sauce. Place the skillet under the broiler for 2–3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
  8. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve the cheesy French onion meatballs hot, accompanied by crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or pasta for a complete and comforting meal.

Notes

  • If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, omit the white wine and add extra beef broth instead.
  • For an easier cleanup, you can transfer the sauce and meatballs to an oven-safe dish before broiling with cheese.
  • Use freshly grated Gruyère for best melting and flavor; Swiss cheese is a suitable substitute.
  • Make sure not to overmix the meatball mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
  • This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated; reheat gently before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: French onion meatballs, cheesy meatballs, caramelized onion sauce, comforting dinner, Gruyère cheese meatballs

Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/cheesy-french-onion-meatballs-recipe/