Description
These French Onion Meatballs are tender and flavorful, smothered in a rich, savory onion sauce reminiscent of classic French onion soup. Perfect as an appetizer, main dish, or served over mashed potatoes or rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter, for cooking
- For the onion sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: grated Swiss or Gruyère cheese for topping
Instructions
Instructions
- Prepare meatballs: In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Form into 12–16 meatballs.
- Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs 4–5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Make onion sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add sliced onions and sugar; cook 8–10 minutes until caramelized and soft.
- Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Bring to a simmer and cook 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper.
- Return meatballs to the skillet and spoon sauce over them. Simmer 2–3 minutes to heat through.
- Optional: sprinkle grated Swiss or Gruyère cheese on top and serve hot with mashed potatoes, rice, or bread.
Notes
For extra flavor, deglaze the pan with a splash of red wine before adding the beef broth. You can also make this ahead and reheat gently for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Appetizer
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball with sauce
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: French onion meatballs, savory onion sauce, beef meatballs, comfort food, easy dinner