French Onion Meatballs Recipe

Name: French Onion Meatballs Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork); 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (fresh (*see notes for instructions)); 1 egg; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese; 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing); 3 large yellow onions (thinly sliced); 2 tablespoons butter; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon sugar; 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1/2 cup dry white wine (or beef broth); 1 1/2 cups beef broth; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves ((or pinch of dried thyme leaves)); 1 bay leaf; 1 cup Gruyère cheese (shredded (use smoked cheese, if available) or use mozzarella); 1 loaf French Bread (sliced and toasted, optional); Fresh thyme for garnish (optional)

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This French onion meatballs recipe features juicy beef meatballs baked in a caramelized onion sauce, smothered in melted smoked Gruyère, and is delicious served with toasted homemade French bread slices.

French onion meatballs in a large cast iron skillet.

Just like my Skillet Lasagna, Chili Cornbread Casserole, and One-Pot Chili Mac and Cheese, this one pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights, since you’re only using one pan to cook these homemade meatballs!

Why You’ll Love This French Onion Meatball Recipe

One-Skillet Wonder: Searing, caramelizing, and baking all happen in one pan! This easy recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner that doesn’t create lots of dishes to wash.
Baked for Extra Flavor: The oven-baked finish creates a cheesy, golden crust.
Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Perfect for cold weather, family dinners, or cozy gatherings.
Pairs Perfectly: Serve with buttery mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or a simple green salad (like this Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad). And don’t forget the crusty bread! Use my French Bread Recipe or my Easy Sourdough Bread Recipe.

Equipment

12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients

Find the full list of ingredients, amounts, and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here are a few key ingredients you’ll need:

Ground Beef: You can use lean ground beef or any type of ground beef you have available.
Beef Stock: If you don’t have beef broth on hand, you can substitute chicken broth, but beef broth will impart the best flavor.
Onions: Yellow onions are caramelized until golden brown add delicious onion flavor.
Cheese: Gruyère offers a rich, smoky flavor, you can substitute it with Swiss, Fontina, or even mozzarella cheese.

How to Make This French Onion Meatballs Recipe

Here are the step-by-step instructions for making this Easy French Onion Meatballs recipe:

Collage of four photos showing steps 1-4 for how to make French onion meatballs.

Prepare the Meatballs:

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

In a large bowl, mix pastured ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Parmesan until just combined (Photos 1-4).

Collage of four photos showing steps 5-8 for how to make French onion meatballs.

Form into 12-14 meatballs (about 1½ inches in diameter). (Photo 5)

Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the meatballs for 2 minutes per side, then remove and set aside (they will finish cooking in the oven). (Photo 6)

Caramelize the Onions:

In the same large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions, salt, and sugar, stirring occasionally (Photo 7). Cook for 25-30 minutes, until golden and caramelized.

Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Deglaze the pan with white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Let French onion sauce simmer for 2 minutes (Photo 8).

Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove the bay leaf (Photo 9).

Collage of four photos showing steps 9-12 for how to make French onion meatballs.

Bake in the Oven:

Nestle the seared meatballs into the onion mixture in the skillet (Photo 10).

Sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese generously over the top (Photo 11).

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling (Photo 12).

(Optional) Switch to broil for 2-3 minutes to achieve a golden brown crust.

French onion meatballs in a cast iron skillet with a spoon lifting a meatball out of the pan.

Serve & Enjoy:

Garnish cooked meatballs with fresh thyme and serve hot with crusty Homemade French Baguette slices for dipping.

This French onion meatballs recipe would go well with Easy Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Pear Salad, Roasted Carrots, or Overnight Sourdough Biscuits.

French onion meatballs with melted cheese in a serving bowl with French bread slices and salad.

How to Store

Store any leftover french onion meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can prepare the meatballs and caramelized onions in advance. Store them separately in the fridge, then assemble and bake when ready to serve.

Recipe FAQs

What to serve French Onion Meatballs with?

These French onion meatballs go well with toasted French bread slices, mashed potatoes, or a salad.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes! While Gruyere cheese offers a rich, smoky flavor, you can substitute it with Swiss, Fontina, or even mozzarella for a different take.

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?

Yes, but keep in mind that poultry has a lower fat content. Adding an extra splash of olive oil or a bit of ricotta cheese to the mixture can help keep the meatballs juicy.

What if I don’t have a cast iron skillet?

A heavy-bottomed, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven will work just as well. If you don’t have an oven-safe pan, transfer the mixture to a baking dish before baking.