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Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs Recipe

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3.9 from 3 reviews

A comforting and easy-to-make Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs recipe that combines tender meatballs with caramelized onions, savory beef broth, and melted Gruyere cheese. Perfect for a hearty dinner served over rice or mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

Meatballs and Onion Base

  • 2 medium yellow onions, sliced
  • 26 ounces frozen meatballs

Sauce

  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 ounce package brown gravy mix
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Thickening and Topping

  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • 1½ cups Gruyere cheese, grated

Instructions

  1. Prepare the base: Place the sliced onions in the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot. Then, pour the frozen meatballs evenly over the top of the onions.
  2. Mix the sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the beef broth, brown gravy mix, minced garlic, black pepper, dried thyme, and white vinegar. Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
  3. Cook the meatballs: Pour the prepared sauce over the meatballs in the crock pot. Cover the crock pot with its lid and cook on high heat for 2½ to 3½ hours, or alternatively, on low heat for 5 to 6 hours, until the meatballs are hot and the onions are tender.
  4. Thicken and add cheese: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Pour this over the meatballs in the crock pot and gently mix to combine. Sprinkle the grated Gruyere cheese evenly on top, then cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted.
  5. Serve and enjoy: Spoon the French onion meatballs onto plates and serve warm over rice or mashed potatoes for a delicious, hearty meal.

Notes

  • Using low-sodium beef broth helps control the saltiness of the dish, but you can adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
  • For best flavor, slice the onions thinly so they cook evenly and develop sweetness during the slow cooking process.
  • If Gruyere cheese is unavailable, Swiss or mozzarella cheese can be used as alternatives.
  • Cornstarch slurry should be added towards the end to thicken the sauce properly without lumping.
  • This recipe can be prepped the night before; just keep the sauce separate until ready to cook for fresher flavor.