Crockpot French Onion Meatballs Recipe
Introduction
Crockpot French Onion Meatballs are a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for busy days. With a rich, savory broth and melty cheese on top, these meatballs are effortless to prepare and delicious to enjoy. Let the slow cooker do the work while you relax!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-seasoned)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 onion, finely chopped (yellow or white)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium if preferred)
- 1 packet French onion soup mix
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, finely chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined to keep meatballs tender.
- Step 2: Roll the mixture into meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Don’t worry about perfect shapes—a bit of rustic charm is great!
- Step 3: Place the meatballs into the crockpot, layering them snugly as needed.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the beef broth and French onion soup mix until well blended. Pour the mixture over the meatballs, ensuring they are all submerged.
- Step 5: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours for best flavor.
- Step 6: About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the meatballs. Cover again and allow the cheese to melt into gooey deliciousness.
- Step 7: Serve hot and enjoy the comforting combination of savory meatballs and rich French onion sauce!
Tips & Variations
- Gently mix ingredients to avoid tough meatballs; avoid overworking the meat.
- Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the meat mixture for extra depth.
- Let meatballs rest 10 minutes after shaping before cooking to hold their shape better.
- Mix in fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for a bright, fresh twist.
- For some heat, add red pepper flakes with the salt and pepper.
- Try smoked paprika or hot sauce for smoky or spicy variations.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. For longer storage, freeze meatballs and broth separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be used, but they tend to be leaner and may need a bit of added moisture or fat (like a little olive oil) to keep the meatballs juicy.
Do I need to brown the meatballs before adding them to the crockpot?
No, browning is not necessary for this recipe. The meatballs cook slowly in the flavorful broth, which keeps them tender and infuses them with great flavor.
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Crockpot French Onion Meatballs Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 45 minutes (high)
- Yield: Approximately 16 meatballs (serves 4) 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Crockpot French Onion Meatballs are a comforting, flavorful dish that combines juicy ground beef meatballs with a rich, savory French onion broth, all slow-cooked to perfection and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for easy meal prep and hands-free cooking, this recipe delivers a hearty, cheesy, and satisfying meal that’s great for any occasion.
Ingredients
Meatball Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-seasoned)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 onion, finely chopped (yellow or white)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Topping
- 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium if preferred)
- 1 packet French onion soup mix
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, finely chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Form Meatballs: Roll the mixture into meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. They don’t need to be perfect—rustic shapes add charm.
- Arrange in Crockpot: Place the meatballs snugly into the crockpot, layering as needed since they will shrink during cooking.
- Prepare Broth Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together beef broth and French onion soup mix until well blended.
- Cook Meatballs: Pour the broth mixture over the meatballs in the crockpot, ensuring all are submerged. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Low and slow is recommended for best flavor.
- Add Cheese: About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the meatballs, cover again, and allow the cheese to melt into gooey perfection.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the cheese is melted and the meatballs are tender, serve immediately and enjoy the comforting, savory flavors of this dish.
Notes
- Gently mixing the meat ingredients prevents tough meatballs.
- Let rolled meatballs rest for 10 minutes before cooking to help them hold their shape.
- Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the meat mixture for extra depth of flavor.
- Incorporate fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for brightness.
- For some heat, sprinkle red pepper flakes with salt and pepper.
- Use low-sodium beef broth if watching salt intake.
- This recipe can easily be made gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Meatballs can be prepared ahead and reheated, making it great for meal prepping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3.5 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French-American
Keywords: crockpot meatballs, french onion meatballs, slow cooker recipes, beef meatballs, comforting meals, easy dinner, mozzarella cheese, french onion soup mix
