French Onion Meatballs Delight (Print Version)
Juicy beef meatballs with caramelized onions, rich balsamic sauce, and melted Gruyère cheese for a cozy meal.
# Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Meatball Mixture
01 -
1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean to fat ratio)
02 -
1 cup regular fine breadcrumbs
03 -
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 -
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley
05 -
1 large egg
06 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
07 -
1 tsp onion powder
08 -
Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ French Onion Sauce
09 -
2 large onions, thinly sliced
10 -
2 tbsp olive oil
11 -
2 tbsp unsalted butter
12 -
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
13 -
1 cup beef broth
14 -
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
15 -
1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
16 -
Fresh parsley, for garnish
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 -
Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, gently combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper until just mixed to avoid toughness.
02 -
Portion mixture into uniform 1.5-inch meatballs using a cookie scoop or tablespoon. Roll between palms to smooth and shape evenly.
03 -
Arrange meatballs spaced apart on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes until browned and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
04 -
Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Slowly cook sliced onions for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden brown.
05 -
Deglaze skillet with balsamic vinegar, scraping up browned bits. Add beef broth and thyme, then simmer for 5 minutes to develop richness.
06 -
Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Transfer meatballs to baking dish, pour sauce over to partially submerge, top evenly with Gruyère cheese. Bake 10 to 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.
07 -
Remove from oven, sprinkle fresh parsley over top, and serve warm for best flavor.
# Extra Tips & Details:
01 -
Allow meatball mixture to rest for 10 minutes before shaping so breadcrumbs absorb moisture resulting in a tender texture.
02 -
Use a cast iron skillet for ideal onion caramelization as it distributes heat evenly.
03 -
Meatballs can be prepared ahead and frozen before final baking with cheese.
04 -
Rest the completed dish for 5 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.