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French Onion Meatballs Skillet Recipe

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4.4 from 71 reviews

These French Onion Meatballs combine tender baked beef meatballs with rich, caramelized onions and a savory balsamic-infused sauce, finished with melted Gruyere cheese for a comforting skillet meal perfect for any occasion.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 16 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Sauce and Topping

  • 2 Tablespoons salted butter
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 ½ – 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Chopped fresh thyme, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs.
  2. Make Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, and salt. Mix gently with a spoon or hands until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep meatballs tender.
  3. Form and Bake Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, making 24-30 pieces. Place them on a sheet pan and bake for 15 minutes. They may be slightly underdone at this point. Remove and set aside.
  4. Caramelize Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the thinly sliced onions. Cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions become deep golden brown and caramelized.
  5. Add Flour: Sprinkle the flour over the caramelized onions and stir continuously for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste and begin thickening the sauce.
  6. Deglaze and Simmer: Gradually add the beef broth while stirring, then add dried thyme and balsamic vinegar. Simmer the sauce for 5-10 minutes until it thickens and the flavors meld while ensuring meatballs finish cooking.
  7. Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Add the baked meatballs into the skillet and stir gently to coat them evenly in the sauce.
  8. Add Cheese and Melt: Sprinkle shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese over the meatballs. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook on low heat for 3-5 minutes until the cheese melts, becomes bubbly, and slightly golden.
  9. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped thyme if desired. Serve warm for a comforting and flavorful meal.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender and juicy.
  • Caramelize onions slowly to develop deep, sweet flavor.
  • Use Gruyere or Swiss cheese for the best melting and flavor profile.
  • The meatballs are partially baked then finished in the sauce to ensure perfect texture.
  • Adjust beef broth amount to achieve desired sauce thickness.
  • Fresh thyme garnish adds a lovely herbal note but is optional.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 56 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking and Stovetop
  • Cuisine: French-American
  • Diet: Low Salt

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/french-onion-meatballs-skillet-recipe/