Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs Recipe
This Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs recipe combines tender frozen meatballs with savory caramelized onions, rich beef broth, and melted Gruyere cheese, creating a comforting and flavorful slow-cooked dish perfect for serving over rice or mashed potatoes.
- Author: Isla
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours (high) or 6 hours (low)
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes (high) or 6 hours 10 minutes (low)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Meatballs and Onions
- 2 medium yellow onions, sliced
- 26 ounces frozen meatballs
Sauce
- 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 cornstarch
- 1½ cups Gruyere cheese, grated
- Prepare Onions and Meatballs: Place the sliced onions evenly in the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot. Layer the frozen meatballs over the onions to create the base of the dish.
- Mix and Pour Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the low-sodium beef broth, brown gravy mix, minced garlic, black pepper, dried thyme, and white wine vinegar. Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated. Pour this mixture over the meatballs in the crock pot.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crock pot and cook on high for 2½ to 3½ hours, or on low for 5 to 6 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the onions to soften.
- Thicken Sauce and Add Cheese: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Pour this over the meatballs and gently stir to combine. Sprinkle the grated Gruyere cheese on top, then cook uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the French Onion Meatballs hot over a bed of rice or creamy mashed potatoes for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- To avoid drying out the meatballs, use a programmable slow cooker that switches to the warm setting automatically after cooking time is complete.
- If the sauce is not thick enough after adding the cornstarch slurry, whisk an additional tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water, add it to the crock pot, and cook a bit longer to thicken.
- Store leftovers in a shallow airtight container with the juices and cheese in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximate)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: French Onion Meatballs, Crock Pot Meatballs, Slow Cooker Meatballs, Gruyere Cheese Meatballs, Comfort Food