Cheesy French Onion Meatballs: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

Introduction

These Cheesy French Onion Meatballs combine savory ground beef with sweet caramelized onions and melted Gruyère cheese for an irresistibly comforting meal. Perfect for a cozy night in, this dish offers rich flavors and a satisfying texture that pairs well with bread or mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

• 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
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Set aside on a plate.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides for about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the thinly sliced onions and sprinkle with sugar. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized, about 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle the flour over the caramelized onions and stir to coat evenly. Gradually add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce while scraping the skillet to deglaze and incorporate any browned bits. Bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Step 6: Return the meatballs to the skillet with the sauce. Cover and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes so the flavors meld and meatballs cook through.
7. Step 7: Preheat your broiler. Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the meatballs and sauce in the skillet. Place under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Step 8: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve the meatballs hot alongside crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or pasta for a complete comforting meal.

Tips & Variations

• For a twist, try mixing ground pork or turkey with the beef for a different texture and flavor.
• Use provolone or mozzarella instead of Gruyère for a milder cheese topping.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook the onions a bit longer before adding the flour and broth.
• Adding a splash of red wine to the sauce enhances depth and richness.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. For longer storage, freeze the meatballs with sauce for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatballs and sauce separately and store them in the refrigerator. Reheat together before serving and broil with cheese for the best texture.

What can I serve with cheesy French onion meatballs?

This dish pairs wonderfully with crusty bread, creamy mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or even rice to soak up the delicious sauce.

Cheesy French Onion Meatballs: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 128 reviews

Cheesy French Onion Meatballs combine tender, flavorful beef meatballs with a rich caramelized onion sauce topped with melted Gruyère cheese. This ultimate comfort food recipe blends the savory depth of classic French onion soup with hearty meatballs, perfect for a warm, satisfying meal.

• Author: mia
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: French-inspired

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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 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, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix everything until evenly combined to ensure the meatballs hold together well.
2. Form the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set them aside on a plate or tray, ready for cooking.
3. Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides, which should take about 6 to 8 minutes. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set them aside to keep warm.
4. Make the French Onion Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sprinkle with sugar to enhance caramelization. Cook the onions, stirring frequently, for about 15 to 20 minutes until they turn a deep golden brown and develop a rich, sweet flavor.
5. Thicken the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the caramelized onions, stirring well to coat and cook out the raw flour taste.
6. Add Broth and Flavor: Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce while scraping the bottom of the skillet to deglaze and lift all the browned bits. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
7. Combine and Simmer: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet with the onion sauce. Cover and let everything simmer together for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the meatballs to cook through.
8. Add the Cheese: Preheat the broiler in your oven. Sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the meatballs and sauce. Place the skillet under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned.
9. Serve: Garnish the cheesy French onion meatballs with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot alongside crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or pasta for a complete comforting meal.

Notes

• Be sure to caramelize onions slowly to develop rich flavor—don’t rush this step by turning up the heat.
• You can substitute ground beef with a mixture of beef and pork for extra juiciness.
• Gruyère cheese can be replaced with Swiss cheese if preferred.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour alternatives such as cornstarch or rice flour.
• Leftover meatballs and sauce reheat well on the stovetop or microwave.

Keywords: cheesy meatballs, French onion sauce, comfort food, caramelized onions, Gruyère cheese, ground beef recipe