Description
These Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs are a hearty and flavorful dish that combines tender meatballs with caramelized onions and gooey Gruyère cheese. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this slow cooker recipe is easy to prepare and is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Onion Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Roll into meatballs.
- Brown the Meatballs: Brown the meatballs in olive oil in a skillet. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Caramelize the Onions: In the same skillet, cook onions in butter until caramelized. Deglaze with balsamic vinegar and beef broth.
- Cook in Slow Cooker: Pour onion mixture over meatballs. Cook on low for 4-5 hours. Add Gruyère cheese in the last 15 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- Pair with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: French-Inspired, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 4 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
