Description
This Crockpot French onion meatballs recipe is a flavorful, comforting dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or as a party appetizer. Juicy meatballs are slow-cooked in a rich, savory French onion sauce, made with caramelized onions, beef broth, and melted cheese. Serve over mashed potatoes, pasta, or with crusty bread for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for browning)
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 packet (1 oz) French onion soup mix
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side (they don't need to be fully cooked). Transfer the meatballs to the crockpot.
- In the same skillet, add sliced onions and sauté until caramelized, about 10 minutes. Add beef broth and French onion soup mix, stirring to combine.
- Pour the onion and broth mixture over the meatballs in the crockpot.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese over the meatballs. Cover and cook until the cheese is melted.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desi
Notes
- For extra richness, add a splash of red wine to the onion and broth mixture.
- You can use frozen meatballs for convenience—just add them directly to the crockpot and skip the browning step.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-5 meatballs
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 820 mg