Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs Recipe
This Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs recipe combines tender meatballs with rich beef broth, caramelized onions, and melted gruyere cheese for a comforting and flavorful main course. Perfectly slow-cooked to infuse all the classic French onion flavors in an easy, hands-off way.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium yellow onions sliced
- 26 ounces frozen meatballs
Sauce Ingredients
- 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 wine vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
Topping
- 1½ cups gruyere cheese grated
Instructions
- Prepare onions and meatballs: Place the sliced yellow onions in the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot, spreading them evenly. Arrange the frozen meatballs over the onions in a single layer.
- Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the low-sodium beef broth, brown gravy mix, minced garlic, black pepper, dried thyme, and white wine vinegar. Whisk everything together until smooth and well combined.
- Add sauce and cook: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the meatballs and onions in the crock pot. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 3 hours.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the corn starch and water until smooth. Pour this slurry over the meatballs and stir gently to combine, ensuring the sauce thickens evenly.
- Add cheese and finish cooking: Sprinkle the grated gruyere cheese over the top of the meatballs. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted and is bubbly.
Notes
- For best flavor, use low-sodium beef broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Grated gruyere cheese can be substituted with mozzarella or Swiss cheese for a different twist.
- Frozen meatballs can be pre-cooked if preferred, but cooking from frozen works well in the slow cooker.
- Adjust cooking time if using a smaller crock pot to avoid overcrowding.
- Serve with crusty bread or over egg noodles for a complete meal.
