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Cheesy French Onion Meatballs

Delicious meatballs infused with caramelized onions and ooey gooey cheese, perfect for a crowd-pleasing dinner.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 cup milk For soaking breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs Use fresh or stale breadcrumbs soaked in milk
  • 1 pound ground beef Can substitute with ground turkey
  • 1 cup cheese Gruyère or mozzarella for topping
For the Caramelized Onion Sauce
  • 2 large yellow onions Thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons butter For caramelizing onions
  • 1 cup broth Beef or vegetable broth for deglazing
  • 1 pinch salt For seasoning onions

Method
 

Prepare the Meatballs
  1. Soak breadcrumbs in milk for about 10 minutes.
  2. In a bowl, combine soaked breadcrumbs, ground beef, and gently mix with hands. Shape into meatballs.
  3. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake meatballs for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.
Caramelize the Onions
  1. In a wide pan, melt butter over medium-low heat and add the sliced onions.
  2. Let onions sit, resisting the urge to stir often. Cook for about 15-30 minutes until golden brown.
  3. Once caramelized, deglaze the pan with broth to incorporate brown bits into the sauce.
Assemble and Serve
  1. Combine the baked meatballs with the caramelized onion sauce, add layers of cheese on top.
  2. Broil for a few minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  3. Serve warm and enjoy with crusty bread or egg noodles.

Notes

For make-ahead options, refrigerate the meatballs and sauce separately, reheat before serving. Avoid freezing the cheese.