Description
These Cheesy French Onion Meatballs are the ultimate comfort food! Juicy meatballs baked with caramelized onions, rich broth, and bubbling cheese. Perfect for cozy dinners, game day appetizers, or entertaining.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (or turkey/chicken if preferred)
½ cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt & black pepper (to taste)
2 large onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
1 cup beef broth
1 ½ cups Gruyère or Swiss cheese, shredded
Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Caramelize onions: In a skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook, stirring often, until golden and caramelized (about 25–30 minutes). Stir in garlic and thyme during the last few minutes.
Mix meatballs: In a large bowl, combine beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
Shape and sear: Form into golf ball–sized meatballs. Heat a little oil in a skillet and sear until browned on the outside (they don’t need to be cooked through yet).
Assemble: Place meatballs in a baking dish. Spoon caramelized onions on top, then pour broth around them.
Top with cheese: Sprinkle shredded Gruyère over everything.
Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until meatballs are fully cooked and cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve: Garnish with parsley and enjoy hot.
Notes
Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded.
For added depth, deglaze the onions with a splash of red wine.
Store leftovers in the fridge (2–3 days) and reheat in the oven.
Freeze raw meatballs for up to a month—bake straight from frozen.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 360kcl
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: cheesy french onion meatballs, french onion meatball recipe, cheesy appetizer, comfort food meatballs