IRRESISTIBLE CHEESY FRENCH ONION MEATBALLS

Ingredients for the Best Cheesy French Onion Meatballs

For the Caramelized Onions:

• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Meatballs:

• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend is great)
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese, divided

For Serving (Optional):

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Crusty bread or rolls

Step-by-Step Instructions for Delicious French Onion Meatballs Recipe

Step 1: Caramelize the Onions

1. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
2. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 30-40 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown and caramelized. Be patient – this is where the magic happens! If they start to burn, reduce the heat further and add a splash of water.
3. Stir in brown sugar and balsamic vinegar during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Prepare the Meatball Mixture

1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
2. Gently mix everything together with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
3. Add 1/2 cup of the shredded Gruyère cheese and 1/2 cup of the caramelized onions to the meat mixture. Gently fold in.

Step 3: Form and Stuff the Meatballs

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form meatballs about 1.5-2 inches in diameter.
3. With your thumb, make a small indentation in the center of each meatball. Fill the indentation with a little bit of the remaining Gruyère cheese.

Step 4: Bake the Cheesy French Onion Meatballs

1. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
2. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
3. If you want extra browning, you can broil them for the last 1-2 minutes, but watch them closely to prevent burning!

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

1. Top the baked meatballs with the remaining caramelized onions.
2. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
3. Serve warm on their own as an appetizer or with crusty bread or rolls for a satisfying Meatball Dinner.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Meatball Recipes Easy to Follow

Making the perfect Cheesy French Onion Meatballs is all about the details. Here are some of my best tips to help you succeed:

• Don’t overcrowd the pan when caramelizing the onions. If the pan is too crowded, the onions will steam instead of caramelizing. Work in batches if necessary.
• Use a mixture of ground beef and ground pork for the best flavor and texture. The pork adds richness and moisture.
• Don’t overmix the meatball mixture. Overmixing can result in tough meatballs. Mix just until everything is combined.
• Wet your hands slightly before forming the meatballs. This will prevent the meat from sticking to your hands.
• For an even more intense French onion flavor, you can deglaze the skillet used to caramelize the onions with a splash of beef broth and reduce it slightly before adding it to the meatball mixture.
• Make ahead tip: The meatballs can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.

Serving Suggestions for Your Meatball Dinner

These Cheesy French Onion Meatballs are incredibly versatile and can be served in many ways. Here are a few ideas:

• As an Appetizer: Serve them on a platter with toothpicks for easy snacking.
• As a Main Course: Serve them with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta. A side of roasted vegetables would also be delicious.
• As Sliders: Place the meatballs on mini slider buns with extra caramelized onions and a dollop of Dijon mustard.
• In a French Onion Soup-Inspired Dish: Serve the meatballs in a bowl of beef broth with a slice of toasted baguette topped with melted Gruyère cheese.

Variations to Make Your French Onion Meatballs Recipe Unique

Want to put your own spin on this French Onion Meatballs Recipe? Here are some variations to try:

• Add different cheeses: Instead of Gruyère, try using Swiss, provolone, or a blend of cheeses.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture for a little heat.
• Use different herbs: Instead of thyme, try using rosemary, oregano, or a combination of herbs.
• Add vegetables: Finely diced mushrooms or carrots can be added to the meatball mixture for extra flavor and nutrients.
• Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs in place of the panko breadcrumbs.

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy French Onion Meatballs Recipe

These aren’t just any meatballs; they’re a flavor sensation! The combination of savory caramelized onions, rich ground beef and pork, and gooey Gruyère cheese is simply irresistible. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to make, making them perfect for a weeknight Meatball Dinner or a special occasion. They’re definitely a standout amongst other Meatball Recipes Easy enough for anyone to whip up.

If you are looking for other easy meals, why not try Creamy Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup Ultimate for a comforting dinner? Or, for another meatball option, try Crockpot Sweet Chili Meatballs, perfect for parties! If you love the flavors of French onion, consider giving French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes a try. For a soup that satisfies, Cheeseburger Soup Recipe is always a winner, and Garlic Parmesan Burger Bombs are a fun twist on the classic burger. If you’re in the mood for Italian, Ricotta Meatballs are a comforting choice.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it – my Cheesy French Onion Meatballs recipe! I hope you enjoy making and eating these as much as I do. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a delicious way to elevate your meatball game. Happy cooking!

Irresistible Cheesy French Onion Meatballs

Amelia Chen-Morrison

These cheesy French onion meatballs are a flavor explosion, combining savory caramelized onions, rich ground beef and pork, and gooey Gruyère cheese. They’re surprisingly easy to make and perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, elevating your meatball game to a whole new level.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American, French

Servings 6

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Large bowl
• cookie scoop (optional)
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment paper
• Oven

Ingredients

  

• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1 pound ground beef 80/20 blend
• ½ pound ground pork
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese, divided
• Fresh parsley, chopped optional
• Crusty bread or rolls optional

Instructions

 

• Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
• Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 30-40 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown and caramelized. If they start to burn, reduce the heat further and add a splash of water.
• Stir in brown sugar and balsamic vinegar during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Gently mix everything together with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
• Add 1/2 cup of the shredded Gruyère cheese and 1/2 cup of the caramelized onions to the meat mixture. Gently fold in.
• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form meatballs about 1.5-2 inches in diameter.
• With your thumb, make a small indentation in the center of each meatball. Fill the indentation with a little bit of the remaining Gruyère cheese.
• Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• If you want extra browning, you can broil them for the last 1-2 minutes, but watch them closely to prevent burning!
• Top the baked meatballs with the remaining caramelized onions.
• Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
• Serve warm on their own as an appetizer or with crusty bread or rolls for a satisfying dinner.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the pan when caramelizing the onions. Use a mixture of ground beef and ground pork for the best flavor and texture. Don’t overmix the meatball mixture. Wet your hands slightly before forming the meatballs. For an even more intense French onion flavor, deglaze the skillet used to caramelize the onions with a splash of beef broth and reduce it slightly before adding it to the meatball mixture. Meatballs can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. You can add different cheeses, spice it up with red pepper flakes, use different herbs, add finely diced mushrooms or carrots, or make it gluten-free with gluten-free breadcrumbs.