Savory and flavorful French Onion Meatballs are perfect over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or in a hoagie roll with caramelized onions. They’re a comforting twist on a classic favorite!
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(French Onion Meatballs) “Not long ago, I made a batch of French onion soup, and as I was cooking, I started craving something more filling while still keeping that rich, savory flavor.
Enter these French onion meatballs! These meatballs are crafted using traditional ingredients such as ground beef, breadcrumbs, garlic, and eggs, enhanced by the aromatic touch of fresh thyme for added flavor.
The meatballs are lightly pan-fried and then simmered in a rich caramelized onion sauce topped off with gooey melted Swiss cheese.
These French onion meatballs are ideal as appetizers for holidays and dinner parties, but they’re so delicious that you’ll want to make them any night of the week.
Pair them with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli for a complete, mouthwatering meal.” (French Onion Meatballs).
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 mins | 20 mins | 35 mins | 2 | 2 servings |
Top tips to make French Onion Meatballs
Take your time. Caramelizing onions is simple but requires patience. Keep an eye on them and stir often. If you notice any signs of burning, just add a splash of water to lower the pan’s temperature.
Use homemade stock for an instant flavor boost in any recipe that calls for stock. My homemade chicken stock recipe is salt-free, giving you complete control over the sodium content in your dish.
The Essential Ingredient: Onions
The simple onion transforms as it cooks—starting sharp and pungent, it becomes soft, golden, and sweet when gently cooked over low heat. Slowly cooking onions adds a layer of depth and complexity to many dishes.
In this recipe, we’re not fully caramelizing them (which involves a deeper brown color), but we’re still building plenty of flavor with the help of thyme, bay leaves, and wine. Half of these rich, flavorful onions go into the meatballs, while the other half enhances the sauce.
Choosing the Perfect Beef for French Onion Meatballs
Opt for lean ground beef when making these meatballs to keep your French onion sauce from becoming overly rich or greasy. With cheese and butter added throughout the recipe, you’ll still get plenty of richness and flavor!
For a twist, you can swap the ground beef for ground lamb, adding a unique flavor profile. If you’re looking for a lighter option, try ground chicken, but make sure it includes white and dark meat to keep the meatballs moist and flavorful.
Storing and Reheating Instructions
You can store the cooked meatballs with the French onion sauce in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, gently warm them on the stovetop or in the microwave.
For freezing, shape the uncooked meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined tray to freeze until firm. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container and store them for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to cook, thaw the meatballs in the fridge before proceeding with the recipe.
Ingredients:
- One large egg
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- One tablespoon water
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ pound ground beef (80% lean)
- One packet (1.4 ounces) dry French onion soup mix (like Knorr®), divided
- 1 cup water, divided
- One tablespoon heavy cream
- ½ cup shredded Gruyere cheese
Instructions
Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a spacious mixing bowl, blend the ground beef, onion soup mix, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well combined. This mixture forms the flavorful base for your meatballs.
Step 2:
Shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, either small or medium, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 3:
Place the meatballs in the oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes until they are fully cooked and nicely browned. This cooking time ensures that they are tender and flavorful.
Step 4:
While the meatballs are baking, heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions to the pan and sauté them until they soften. This process enhances their flavor and adds a delicious aroma to your dish.
Step 5:
Season the onions with salt and pepper, then stir in the butter.
Step 6:
Once the butter has melted, add the flour, stirring constantly, and let it cook for around 3 minutes.
Step 7:
Pour the beef broth and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, lower the heat, and allow it to simmer for five minutes. This step helps develop the flavors while ensuring everything is well combined.
Step 8:
When the meatballs are finished baking, gently add them to the onion and beef broth mixture.
Step 9:
Sprinkle shredded Swiss cheese over the top and add a bit of fresh parsley.
Step 10:
Cover the pan with a lid and let the cheese melt, which should take just a few minutes.
Serve the dish warm over a bed of rice, pasta, or egg noodles for a comforting meal. Enjoy every bite!
(French Onion Meatballs)
These savory meatballs are infused with French onion flavor, cooked to perfection in a rich, flavorful sauce, and topped with melted Swiss cheese for a delicious finish.
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, French, Italian
Keyword: French Onion Meatballs
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrition Facts | Amount | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe | 2 | |
| Calories | 513 | |
| Total Fat | 29g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 67% |
| Cholesterol | 212mg | 71% |
| Sodium | 2062mg | 90% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 32g | 11% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g | 5% |
| Total Sugars | 1g | |
| Protein | 38g | 75% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 348mg | 27% |
| Iron | 3mg | 16% |
| Potassium | 338mg | 7% |
conclusion
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
** Nutritional information is derived from the data that is currently accessible. Please note that not all ingredients may have complete nutrient details available.
(-) Nutritional information for certain nutrients is currently unavailable. Consult a healthcare professional if you have dietary restrictions.