Crock Pot French Onion Beef Meatballs

These Crock Pot French Onion Beef Meatballs are a delicious, savory twist on traditional meatballs. Packed with classic French onion flavors, these tender beef meatballs simmer in a rich and flavorful broth, perfect for serving as an appetizer, main dish, or over mashed potatoes or pasta. The best part? The crock pot does most of the work for you!

INGREDIENTS:

For the Meatballs:

1 lb (450 g) ground  beef: The base of the meatballs; use lean beef for the best texture.

¼ cup  breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meatballs and keeps them tender.

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds richness and umami flavor.

1 egg: Acts as a binder to hold the meatballs together.

1 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds a subtle, savory kick.

1 teaspoon onion powder: Enhances the French onion flavor.

Salt and pepper to taste: Balances and enhances the flavors.

For the French Onion Sauce:

2 large onions, thinly sliced: The star ingredient for the rich, caramelized flavor.

2 tablespoons butter: For sautéing the onions to golden perfection.

2 cups beef broth: Forms the base of the sauce and enhances the hearty flavor.

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce: Adds depth and a touch of tang.

1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional): For a subtle herby note.

1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese: To top the dish for a melty, cheesy finish.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Make the Meatballs

In a large mixing bowl, combine the  ground beef,  breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper.

Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.

Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set aside. This recipe should yield about 16–20 meatballs.

2. Prepare the French Onion Sauce

In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown and caramelized (about 15–20 minutes).

Deglaze the skillet by adding a splash of beef broth and scraping up any browned bits from the pan.

Transfer the caramelized onions to the crock pot.

3. Assemble in the Crock Pot

Add the meatballs on top of the caramelized onions in the crock pot.

Pour the remaining beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme over the meatballs.

Gently stir to coat the meatballs in the sauce …