Crockpot French Onion Meatballs Recipe
These Crockpot French Onion Meatballs offer a hearty, comforting meal perfect for busy days. Ground beef meatballs are simmered slowly in a rich mixture of beef broth and French onion soup mix, then topped with melted mozzarella cheese for a deliciously cheesy finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Topping
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 packet French onion soup mix (approximately 1 oz)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, finely chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly incorporated without overworking the meat.
- Form the meatballs: Shape the meat mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, to ensure uniform cooking.
- Place meatballs in the crockpot: Arrange the meatballs in a single layer inside the crockpot for even cooking.
- Mix and add the sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the beef broth with the French onion soup mix until fully dissolved. Pour this mixture evenly over the meatballs in the crockpot.
- Cook the meatballs: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours. This slow cooking method allows flavors to meld and the meatballs to become tender.
- Add the cheese topping: Approximately 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the meatballs. Cover and continue cooking until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
Notes
- For best flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-grated.
- Breadcrumbs can be substituted with gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed.
- Make sure not to overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
- You can add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for added freshness.
- Serve these meatballs over mashed potatoes, noodles, or in toasted sub rolls as a sandwich.
Keywords: Crockpot, French Onion, Meatballs, Slow Cooker, Comfort Food, Beef, Easy Dinner
