Description
These Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs combine tender, flavorful meatballs with rich caramelized onions and a savory beef broth for a comforting and easy meal. Slow cooking melds all the ingredients perfectly, making this dish ideal for a cozy dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Onions and Sauce
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon sugar
For Serving (Optional)
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
Instructions
- Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into approximately 1-inch-sized meatballs, ensuring they are uniformly shaped for even cooking.
- Optional Browning: To enhance flavor, heat a sauté pan over medium heat and brown the meatballs for 2-3 minutes per side until they develop a nice crust. This step is optional but recommended.
- Prepare Slow Cooker Base: Place the thinly sliced onions at the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a flavorful bed for the meatballs.
- Layer Meatballs and Pour Sauce: Arrange the meatballs on top of the onions evenly. In a separate bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and sugar. Pour this mixture over the meatballs and onions in the slow cooker.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 hours, allowing the meatballs to become tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add Cheese (Optional): After the cooking time, sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese over the meatballs. Replace the lid and allow the cheese to melt for an additional 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs warm, accompanied by the cooked onions and rich gravy. Pair with your favorite sides such as mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or a fresh green salad.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Browning the meatballs before slow cooking adds depth of flavor but can be skipped for quicker prep.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the lid in the last 30 minutes of cooking to reduce liquid.
- Gruyère cheese adds a creamy and nutty finish but can be omitted or substituted with mozzarella or Swiss cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French-American Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 4 meatballs with sauce)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: slow cooker meatballs, French onion meatballs, slow cooker recipes, comfort food, beef and pork meatballs
