Description
Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs combine tender meatballs simmered with rich caramelized onions, beef broth, and melted Gruyère cheese for a comforting and flavorful meal. This easy, hands-off recipe is perfect for cozy dinners and can be served over mashed potatoes, noodles, or toasted baguette slices for a French onion soup-inspired twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1.5 lbs frozen or homemade meatballs
Onions & Seasonings
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp thyme (dried or fresh)
Liquid & Thickener
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)
Cheese & Garnish
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions along with sugar, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring frequently until the onions become soft and turn a golden brown color, developing rich caramelized flavor.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Transfer the caramelized onions into the slow cooker. Add the meatballs, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, thyme, and beef broth. Gently stir to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on low for 4–5 hours or on high for 2–3 hours. This allows the meatballs to heat through thoroughly and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Thicken Sauce (Optional): If a thicker sauce is preferred, mix cornstarch and water together to create a slurry, then stir it into the slow cooker. Cook on high for an additional 10–15 minutes until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Just before serving, evenly sprinkle shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese over the top of the meatballs. Cover the slow cooker again and let the cheese melt until gooey and inviting.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for color and freshness. Serve the meatballs warm, ideally over mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or toasted baguette slices for a French onion soup-inspired meal.
Notes
- Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or toasted baguette slices to mimic the classic French onion soup experience.
- For a lighter alternative, use turkey or plant-based meatballs instead of traditional beef or pork meatballs.
- This dish reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese like mozzarella or fontina for varied flavor profiles.
