Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs – Tender, Savory, and Comforting

Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs are a cozy, flavorful dish that combines juicy beef meatballs with a rich, savory French onion sauce. Slow-cooked to perfection, these meatballs soak up the sweet and caramelized onion flavors, creating a dish that’s perfect for dinner, parties, or casual gatherings. Easy to prepare and full of comforting flavor, this recipe will become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Tender & Juicy – Meatballs stay moist while soaking in savory French onion sauce.
Rich Flavor – Caramelized onions and beef broth create a deeply savory sauce.
Set & Forget – Easy to make in the crock pot with minimal hands-on time.
Perfect for Any Occasion – Great as an appetizer or a main dish over rice or pasta.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

For the French Onion Sauce:

• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (optional, for thicker sauce)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Meatballs
   In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined. Form into 1-inch meatballs.
2. Cook the Onions
   In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté onions until soft and caramelized, about 8–10 minutes.
3. Assemble in the Crock Pot
   Place meatballs in the crock pot. Pour caramelized onions, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and thyme over the meatballs. Stir gently to combine.
4. Slow Cook
   Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or on high for 2–3 hours, until meatballs are cooked through and tender.
5. Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
   If desired, stir in cornstarch slurry and cook for an additional 10–15 minutes on high until sauce thickens.
6. Serve
   Serve hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutritional Information

Calories: ~320
Protein: 22g
Fat: 18g
Carbohydrates: 14g
Sugar: 5g
Fiber: 2g

Tips for Success

• Caramelize Onions Well – Deeply browned onions give the sauce its rich, sweet flavor.
• Don’t Overmix Meatballs – Keeps them tender and juicy.
• Use Low & Slow – Cooking on low ensures maximum flavor and tender meatballs.

Why This Recipe Works

The slow cooking allows the meatballs to soak in the sweet, savory French onion sauce, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Caramelized onions and beef broth give the dish depth and richness that elevates simple meatballs into a comforting, hearty meal.

Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs are tender, flavorful, and perfect for easy weeknight dinners or entertaining. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, they bring the classic taste of French onion soup into a hearty, slow-cooked meatball dish.