Crockpot French Onion Meatballs Recipe
This Crockpot French Onion Meatballs recipe combines tender, flavorful meatballs simmered in a rich French onion soup sauce, making for a comforting and easy slow-cooked meal. Perfect for busy days, these meatballs are topped with gooey melted mozzarella for an irresistible finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Topping
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 packet French onion soup mix (about 1 oz)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, finely chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well incorporated but do not overwork the meat to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, for consistent cooking in the crockpot.
- Place Meatballs in Crockpot: Arrange the formed meatballs in a single layer inside your slow cooker, ensuring they are spaced evenly to cook properly.
- Mix and Pour Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the beef broth with the French onion soup mix until fully dissolved. Pour this flavorful liquid evenly over the meatballs in the crockpot.
- Slow Cook the Meatballs: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours. This slow simmer allows the meatballs to absorb the French onion flavors and become tender.
- Add Cheese Topping: About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the cooked meatballs. Cover again and continue cooking until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
Notes
- For firmer meatballs, you can sear them briefly in a pan before placing them in the crockpot.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- This recipe pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce grease but still maintain a juicy texture.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture.
Keywords: crockpot meatballs, french onion meatballs, slow cooker recipes, easy dinner, comfort food, mozzarella toppings
