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French Onion Meatballs with Gruyere Cheese

French Onion Meatballs with Gruyere Cheese

French Onion Meatballs with Gruyere Cheese combine the deep, caramelized flavors of classic French onion soup with juicy meatballs and melted Gruyere cheese for a rich and comforting dish perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for ideal fat balance)
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Onions and Cheese

  • 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp butter (for caramelizing onions)
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 6 oz Gruyere cheese, sliced or shredded

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the Onions: Thinly slice yellow onions and cook slowly in a skillet over low heat with butter, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and sweet, about 30 to 40 minutes. This builds the rich onion flavor essential to the dish.
  2. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, caramelized onions (reserve some for topping), bread crumbs, egg, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, chopped thyme, and parsley. Mix gently until just combined to keep meatballs tender.
  3. Form and Cook the Meatballs: Shape mixture into bite-sized meatballs. Brown them in a hot skillet until golden on all sides, then transfer to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake about 10-12 minutes until cooked through.
  4. Add the Gruyere Cheese: Remove meatballs from the oven. Top each with a generous amount of Gruyere cheese and return to the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  5. Serve with Extra Caramelized Onions: Garnish meatballs with reserved caramelized onions and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Serve immediately while warm and comforting.

Notes

  • Slow caramelize onions to develop deep, sweet flavors.
  • Use fresh herbs to brighten and balance rich flavors.
  • Mix meatball ingredients gently to keep meatballs tender.
  • Brown meatballs before baking for added texture and flavor.
  • Choose good quality aged Gruyere for best melting and taste.
  • Let meatballs rest after baking to meld flavors beautifully.

Nutrition

Keywords: French onion meatballs, gruyere cheese meatballs, caramelized onion meatballs, savory meatball recipe, comfort food, appetizer meatballs