Description
These cheesy French onion meatballs combine the rich, savory flavors of French onion soup with tender meatballs, topped with melted Gruyère and mozzarella for the ultimate comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup dry white wine (or additional beef broth)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For Topping:
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix until just combined.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned. Set aside.
- While meatballs bake, make the sauce: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes until deeply caramelized.
- Add minced garlic and sugar to the onions, cook for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir, cooking for 2 minutes.
- Gradually pour in beef broth and white wine, stirring constantly. Add thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Arrange the cooked meatballs in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the onion sauce over the meatballs.
- Top with shredded Gruyère and mozzarella cheeses.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.
Notes
For a richer flavor, use a mix of ground beef and ground pork. You can substitute the white wine with additional beef broth if needed. Serve with crusty bread or over egg noodles.
Nutrition
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Fat: 32 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Protein: 34 g