Description
Savory French onion meatballs cooked in a crock pot, perfect for an easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup dry red wine (optional)
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese (for serving)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onion and cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in sugar and continue to cook until onions are caramelized, about 10-15 minutes more.
- Deglaze the pan with beef broth and red wine (if using), scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then pour the onion mixture into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on top of the onion mixture in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, or until meatballs are cooked through.
- Serve hot, topped with shredded Gruyere cheese.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use a good quality beef broth.
- Meatballs can be browned in a skillet before adding to the slow cooker for extra color and flavor, but this step is optional.
- Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs, slow cooker meatballs, beef meatballs, French onion, easy dinner