Description

Delight in these Cheesy French Onion Meatballs, a hearty dish that combines savory ground beef meatballs with rich caramelized onions and melted Gruyère cheese. Perfectly browned meatballs are simmered in a flavorful French onion sauce, then topped with bubbly, melted cheese for an indulgent meal that’s ideal for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

Instructions

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.
Shape the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, ensuring they are uniform in size for even cooking. Set them aside on a plate or tray.
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. Remove the browned meatballs from the skillet and set them aside.
Make the French Onion Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sprinkle with sugar to aid caramelization. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions turn golden brown and sweetly caramelized, approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
Thicken the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the caramelized onions and stir well to coat. This will help thicken the sauce.
Add Liquids and Seasoning: Pour in the beef broth, dry white wine (if using), and Worcestershire sauce. Scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to deglaze and incorporate browned bits. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Combine and Simmer: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet with the sauce. Cover and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through and the flavors to meld.
Add the Cheese: Preheat your oven broiler. Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère or Swiss 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 golden.
Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve the Cheesy French Onion Meatballs hot, accompanied by crusty bread, creamy mashed potatoes, or your favorite pasta for a complete and satisfying meal.

Notes

Using fresh onions and cooking them slowly ensures rich caramelization and depth of flavor in the sauce.
You can substitute ground beef with a mix of beef and pork for a juicier meatball.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour alternatives such as cornstarch or rice flour for thickening.
If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, omit the white wine and increase beef broth accordingly.
Be careful not to overcook the meatballs during browning—they will finish cooking in the sauce.
Gruyère cheese offers an authentic flavor, but Swiss or even mozzarella can be used as a substitute.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Browning, Simmering, Broiling
Cuisine: French-American Fusion

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 4 meatballs with sauce and cheese)
Calories: 450 kcal
Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 570 mg
Fat: 28 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
Trans Fat: 0.3 g
Carbohydrates: 20 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg

Keywords: French onion meatballs, cheesy meatballs, caramelized onion sauce, Gruyère cheese meatballs, comfort food, easy meatball recipe