Introduction

Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs are a delicious and comforting twist on a classic favorite. Slow-cooked with caramelized onions and savory gravy, these meatballs become tender and flavorful, topped with melted gruyere cheese for a rich finish. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal or casual dinner with family.

A top-down view of a bowl filled with creamy mashed potatoes at the bottom layer, smooth and pale yellow in color. On top, there is a rich brown stew with multiple round meatballs covered in glossy gravy, with soft, translucent cooked onions mixed in. The stew layer is thick and shiny, sitting snugly over the potatoes, with some green herb bits scattered for a slight touch of color. The bowl is white with a thin rim, placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 medium yellow onions (sliced)
26 ounces frozen meatballs
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 ounce package brown gravy mix
2 teaspoons garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
¼ cup water
2 tablespoons corn starch
1½ cups gruyere cheese (grated)

Instructions

Step 1: Place the sliced onions in the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot. Then, pour the frozen meatballs over the top.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, add beef broth, brown gravy mix, minced garlic, black pepper, dried thyme, and white wine vinegar. Whisk until well combined and pour evenly over the meatballs.
Step 3: Cover the crock pot and cook on high for 2½ to 3½ hours, or on low for 5 to 6 hours, until the meatballs are heated through and the onions are tender.
Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water until smooth. Pour this mixture over the meatballs and stir gently to combine. Sprinkle the grated gruyere cheese evenly on top, cover, and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Step 5: Serve the meatballs hot over rice or mashed potatoes, and enjoy your comforting meal!

Tips & Variations

For extra depth of flavor, caramelize the onions briefly in a skillet before placing them in the crock pot.
Use turkey or chicken meatballs for a lighter option.
Substitute mozzarella or Swiss cheese if gruyere is unavailable.
Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the broth mixture for a savory boost.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat to prevent the cheese from becoming rubbery. This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Inside a black slow cooker, there are several brown meatballs covered with a thick, glossy brown sauce mixed with melted white cheese. The cheese is spread unevenly, creating a contrast between the brown sauce and white melted cheese around the meatballs. Small green parsley leaves are sprinkled on top, adding a pop of color. A brown wooden spoon sticks into the mixture from the top right side. The slow cooker sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade meatballs instead of frozen?

Yes, homemade meatballs work great. Just ensure they are fully cooked before adding to the crock pot, or extend the cooking time so they heat through completely.

What can I serve with Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs?

This dish pairs wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes, steamed rice, egg noodles, or even crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 213 reviews

This Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs recipe features tender meatballs simmered with caramelized onions, beef broth, and rich seasonings, topped with melted gruyere cheese. Perfectly hearty and flavorful, it cooks low and slow in a crock pot for an effortless and comforting meal, ideal served over rice or mashed potatoes.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: French-American

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs and Onion Base

2 medium yellow onions, sliced
26 ounces frozen meatballs

Broth and Seasoning

2 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 ounce package brown gravy mix
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

Thickener and Topping

¼ cup water
2 tablespoons corn starch
1½ cups gruyere cheese, grated

Instructions

Prepare the onions and meatballs: Place the sliced yellow onions evenly at the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot. Then, layer the frozen meatballs over the onions, creating a base for slow cooking.
Mix and add the broth and seasonings: In a medium bowl, whisk together the low-sodium beef broth, package of brown gravy mix, minced garlic, black pepper, dried thyme, and white wine vinegar until thoroughly combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the meatballs in the crock pot.
Cook the meatballs: Cover the crock pot with its lid and cook on high heat for 2½ to 3½ hours, or alternatively on low heat for 5 to 6 hours. This slow cooking allows the flavors to meld and the onions to soften beautifully.
Thicken the sauce and add cheese: In a small bowl, whisk together the corn starch and water until smooth. Pour this slurry over the meatballs and stir gently to integrate. Then, sprinkle the grated gruyere cheese evenly on top. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve: Once done, serve the French onion meatballs hot over steamed rice or creamy mashed potatoes for a satisfying and comforting meal. Enjoy!

Notes

You can substitute frozen meatballs with homemade or fresh ones for a more personalized taste.
For a deeper onion flavor, consider caramelizing the onions briefly on the stove before adding to the crock pot.
Make sure to whisk the cornstarch and water mixture well to avoid lumps when thickening the sauce.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stove or microwave.
This dish pairs wonderfully with crusty bread to soak up extra sauce.

Keywords: Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs, slow cooker meatballs, French onion recipe, comfort food, easy crock pot dinner