Crockpot French Onion Meatballs

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why make this recipe

Crockpot French Onion Meatballs are a simple and delicious meal that everyone will love. They combine the rich flavors of French onion soup with tender meatballs, making a comforting dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Using a slow cooker means you can set it and forget it, allowing the flavors to develop while you go about your day. This recipe is also great for feeding a crowd and can be served as a main dish or appetizer.

how to make Crockpot French Onion Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cups French onion soup
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
2. Shape mixture into meatballs and place them in the crockpot.
3. Pour the French onion soup over the meatballs.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until meatballs are cooked through.
5. Serve meatballs garnished with chopped parsley, if desired.

how to serve Crockpot French Onion Meatballs

Serve Crockpot French Onion Meatballs with crusty bread or over a bed of rice or noodles. They also make a great appetizer for parties. You can drizzle some extra French onion soup over the top for added flavor and garnish with freshly chopped parsley to make the dish look appealing.

how to store Crockpot French Onion Meatballs

Once cooled, store any leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. For longer storage, you can freeze them. Place the meatballs in a freezer-safe container, and they will last up to three months. To reheat, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm them in the microwave or crockpot.

tips to make Crockpot French Onion Meatballs

• For best results, use lean ground beef to prevent excess grease.
• You can add other seasonings, like garlic powder or Italian herbs, for extra flavor.
• Don’t skip the onions; they add a lot of flavors to the meatballs. If you want a sweeter taste, you can caramelize the onions before mixing them in.

variation

You can easily make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs. If you prefer a different flavor, try using ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. For a vegetarian option, substitute the meat with plant-based ground meat and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

FAQs

CAN I USE FROZEN MEATBALLS INSTEAD OF MAKING MY OWN?
YES, YOU CAN DEFINITELY USE FROZEN MEATBALLS TO SAVE TIME. JUST ADD THE FROZEN MEATBALLS STRAIGHT INTO THE CROCKPOT AND POUR THE FRENCH ONION SOUP OVER THE TOP. COOK THEM ON LOW OR HIGH UNTIL THEY ARE HEATED THROUGH AND TENDER, MAKING SURE THEY’RE HOT IN THE CENTER BEFORE SERVING. THIS SHORTCUT IS PERFECT FOR BUSY DAYS OR WHEN YOU’RE COOKING FOR A CROWD.

CAN I MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME?
ABSOLUTELY! YOU CAN MIX AND SHAPE THE MEATBALLS A DAY IN ADVANCE AND STORE THEM COVERED IN THE REFRIGERATOR. THE NEXT DAY, JUST POP THEM INTO THE CROCKPOT, POUR OVER THE FRENCH ONION SOUP, AND LET THEM COOK. YOU CAN ALSO COOK THE MEATBALLS COMPLETELY, COOL THEM, AND REHEAT THEM LATER IN THE SAUCE, WHICH MAKES THIS RECIPE GREAT FOR MEAL PREP OR ENTERTAINING.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE FRENCH ONION SOUP?
IF YOU DON’T HAVE CANNED FRENCH ONION SOUP, YOU CAN MAKE A QUICK HOMEMADE VERSION. USE BEEF BROTH AS A BASE AND ADD SAUTÉED OR CARAMELIZED ONIONS, PLUS A PINCH OF GARLIC, THYME, SALT, AND PEPPER TO MIMIC THAT CLASSIC FRENCH ONION FLAVOR. POUR THIS MIXTURE OVER THE MEATBALLS IN THE CROCKPOT AND COOK AS DIRECTED. IT WON’T BE IDENTICAL TO THE CANNED SOUP, BUT IT WILL STILL BE RICH, SAVORY, AND DELICIOUS.

Crockpot French Onion Meatballs

Crockpot French Onion Meatballs are an easy and flavorful dish combining rich French onion flavors with tender meatballs, perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

  

Meatball Mixture

• 1 pound ground beef Use lean ground beef to prevent excess grease.
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped Caramelize for a sweeter taste if desired.
• 2 cups French onion soup Can substitute with beef broth, sautéed onions, and seasonings.
• Salt and pepper to taste Add other seasonings like garlic powder or Italian herbs for extra flavor.

Garnish

• Chopped parsley Optional for garnish.

Instructions

 

Preparation

• In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
• Shape mixture into meatballs and place them in the crockpot.
• Pour the French onion soup over the meatballs.

Cooking

• Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until meatballs are cooked through.

Serving

• Serve meatballs garnished with chopped parsley, if desired. Recommendation to serve with crusty bread, rice, or noodles.

Notes

For best results, use lean ground beef. You can freeze leftover meatballs for up to three months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm in the microwave or crockpot.

Keyword comfort food, Crockpot Meatballs, easy dinner, French Onion Soup, Slow Cooker

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