Delicious Recipe
Cheesy French Onion Meatballs combine tender ground beef meatballs with rich caramelized onions and a flavorful French onion sauce, topped with melted Gruyère cheese for an indulgent, savory dish perfect for any dinner occasion.
- Author: Dylan
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying and Simmering
- Cuisine: French-American
- Diet: Low Salt
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 cheese, 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 diameter meatballs and set them aside on a plate.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the meatballs and brown them evenly on all sides, approximately 6 to 8 minutes in total. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside temporarily.
- Make the French Onion Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the thinly sliced onions and sprinkle with sugar to enhance caramelization. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the onions become golden brown and caramelized, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Thicken and Add Liquids: Sprinkle the flour over the caramelized onions and stir well to coat evenly, cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste. Gradually add beef broth, dry white wine (if using), and Worcestershire sauce. Scrape the bottom of the skillet to loosen any browned bits and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through and absorb the rich flavors of the sauce.
- Add Cheese and Finish: Sprinkle shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese evenly over the meatballs and sauce. Cover the skillet and cook until the cheese melts completely, about 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour.
- If you prefer a less rich sauce, omit the white wine or substitute with additional beef broth.
- For deeper flavor, caramelize the onions slowly on low heat to avoid burning.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for beef for a lighter meatball option.
- Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 meatballs with sauce)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: meatballs, French onion, caramelized onions, cheesy meatballs, Gruyère cheese, savory sauce