Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs
These Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that combines tender meatballs with a rich, onion-infused sauce. Perfect for a cozy dinner or as a party appetizer, this recipe takes minimal effort with maximum taste.
Equipment
- 1 Crock Pot
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 baking sheet optional
- 1 measuring cups and spoons
- 1 knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ cup Swiss cheese, shredded Optional for topping
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined. Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Optional: For a firmer meatball, you can bake the meatballs on a baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes before adding them to the crock pot.
- In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sliced onions. Cook the onions until caramelized, about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once the onions are caramelized, transfer them to the crock pot. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and sugar. Stir to combine the sauce ingredients.
- Gently add the prepared meatballs into the crock pot, making sure they are submerged in the sauce.
- Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours until the meatballs are cooked through.
- If using, sprinkle Swiss cheese over the meatballs in the last 15 minutes of cooking, allowing it to melt.
- Serve the meatballs hot with some sauce over cooked rice, pasta, or on their own as an appetizer.
Notes
You can substitute ground beef and pork with ground turkey for a lighter option. Feel free to adjust the amount of onions based on your preference. These meatballs can be frozen before cooking. Just add an extra hour to the cooking time when using frozen meatballs.