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Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs Recipe

4.7 from 136 reviews

This Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs recipe combines tender meatballs with caramelized onions, rich brown gravy, and melted gruyere cheese for a comforting slow-cooker meal perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it over rice or mashed potatoes for a cozy and satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs and Onions

  • 2 medium yellow onions, sliced
  • 26 ounces frozen meatballs

Gravy and Seasonings

  • 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

Thickening and Cheese

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

Instructions

  1. Prepare Base: Place the sliced onions in the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot. Then, pour the frozen meatballs evenly over the onions.
  2. Mix and Pour Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together beef broth, brown gravy mix, minced garlic, black pepper, dried thyme, and white wine vinegar until well combined. Pour this mixture over the meatballs in the crock pot.
  3. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on high for 2½ to 3½ hours or on low for 5 to 6 hours, allowing the onions to soften and the meatballs to heat through while the flavors meld.
  4. Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Pour this over the meatballs and stir gently to combine. This will help thicken the sauce.
  5. Add Cheese and Melt: Sprinkle the grated gruyere cheese evenly over the meatballs. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
  6. Serve: Serve the French Onion Meatballs hot over rice or mashed potatoes for a complete, comforting meal.

Notes

  • To avoid drying out the meatballs, use a programmable slow cooker that switches to the warm setting after cooking time ends.
  • If the sauce isn’t thick enough, whisk together another tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and add it to the crock pot. Cook a bit longer until desired thickness is achieved.
  • Store leftover meatballs in a shallow airtight container with juices and cheese in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • To reheat, thaw overnight and heat on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through.

Keywords: crock pot meatballs, French onion meatballs, slow cooker recipes, beef meatballs, comfort food, easy dinner