Hearty Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs (Print Version)

Hearty Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs bring slow-cooked comfort! Caramelized onions, savory broth, tender meatballs. Easy weeknight dinner winner.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 Hours minutes
Total Time: 34 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American-French Fusion
Dietary: Meat-Lover's, Comfort Food

# Ingredients:

→ Meatball Base

01 - 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 preferred)
02 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
05 - 1 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1 tsp onion powder
07 - 1 tsp salt
08 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ French Onion Broth

09 - 3-4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
10 - 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
11 - 4 cups beef broth (low sodium)
12 - 1/2 cup dry sherry or red wine
13 - 3 sprigs fresh thyme

→ Finishing Touches

14 - 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - Grab a big bowl, hon. Toss in your ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Now, get in there with your hands! Mix it gently until everything's just combined. Overmixing makes for tough meatballs, and nobody wants that. I usually roll them into about 1.5-inch balls; they'll hold their shape better if they're not too small. I always get a little meat under my nails at this stage, it’s just part of the process!
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat with a bit of olive oil or butter. Add your thinly sliced yellow onions and a pinch of salt. This is where you need to be patient, my friend. Stir them occasionally for 25-35 minutes until they're deeply golden brown and wonderfully sweet. Don't rush this! This slow caramelization is the heart of your Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs. I’ve definitely cranked the heat too high before and ended up with burnt bits – big oops! Keep it low and slow.
03 - Once your onions are perfectly caramelized, transfer about half of them to your crock pot. Pour in the beef broth, dry sherry (or red wine), and add the fresh thyme sprigs. Give it a gentle stir. The aroma filling your kitchen at this point is just incredible, honestly. It smells like pure comfort! This is the foundation for those rich, savory Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs.
04 - Carefully nestle your prepared meatballs into the broth mixture in the crock pot. Try not to crowd them too much if you can help it, though they'll settle in as they cook. Spoon the remaining caramelized onions over the top of the meatballs. This ensures every bite gets that sweet, savory onion goodness. It might look a bit rustic now, but trust me, it’s going to be glorious.
05 - Cover your crock pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The cooking time varies a bit depending on your slow cooker, so keep an eye on it. You want the meatballs to be tender and cooked through, and the sauce to be bubbling gently. This is where the magic truly happens, transforming simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful meal. My kitchen always smells amazing during this stage!
06 - About 15-20 minutes before serving, sprinkle that glorious shredded Gruyère cheese generously over the top of the meatballs. Cover again and let it melt into a bubbly, golden, irresistible layer. The cheese will get all gooey and melty, just like the top of a bowl of French onion soup. Finally, garnish with some fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Oh, it's just so good.

# Notes:

01 - Always caramelize your onions low and slow for the best flavor, seriously, don't rush it.
02 - For easy meal prep, you can form the meatballs the day before and keep them chilled in the fridge.
03 - If you don't have dry sherry, a splash of balsamic vinegar works surprisingly well for depth.
04 - Serve these over creamy mashed potatoes or with crusty bread to soak up all that amazing sauce.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large mixing bowl
02 - large skillet
03 - slow cooker (crock pot)
04 - grater (for cheese)

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 30g
Total Carbohydrate: 15g
Protein: 30g

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