Description
Savory French onion meatballs melt with rich, caramelized onion gravy in this comforting slow cooker classic. Hearty Swiss cheese and crusty bread elevate this dish, inviting you to savor each delicious, saucy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) beef broth
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ cup (60 grams) breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Liquid and Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
- Cornstarch (optional) for thickening
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, dried thyme, dried oregano, garlic powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until thoroughly blended.
- Carefully shape the meat mixture into uniform 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) spherical meatballs, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and gently brown the meatballs on all sides, creating a rich golden crust that seals in moisture and flavor.
- Transfer the seared meatballs to the slow cooker, maintaining their structural integrity.
- Using the same skillet, sauté sliced onions over medium-low heat, allowing them to caramelize and develop a deep, sweet golden-brown color, approximately 10-12 minutes.
- Layer the caramelized onions atop the meatballs in the slow cooker.
- Pour beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and balsamic vinegar over the meatballs and onions, ensuring complete coverage.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low temperature for 4-6 hours or on high temperature for 2-3 hours until meatballs are tender and fully cooked.
- Optional: If a thicker sauce is desired, create a cornstarch slurry by whisking cornstarch with cold water, then gently stir into the cooking liquid during the final 30 minutes.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot, accompanied by crusty bread or over pasta.
Notes
- Slow cooker magic transforms simple ground beef into an irresistible French-inspired comfort dish bursting with rich, deep flavors.
- Caramelized onions create a luxurious sweet and savory base that infuses every tender meatball with incredible depth.
- Worcestershire sauce and balsamic vinegar add complex tangy undertones that elevate the traditional meatball recipe to gourmet status.
- Gentle low-and-slow cooking ensures meatballs remain juicy and absorb every delicious drop of the aromatic braising liquid.
- Sprinkle fresh parsley just before serving to add a bright, fresh contrast against the deeply developed meat and onion flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg