French Onion Meatballs: 5 Savory Recipes to Delight You

Name: French Onion Meatballs: 5 Savory Recipes to Delight You
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon butter; 1 large yellow onion, petite diced (about 2.5 cups); 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt; a few splashes dry white wine; 1 pound ground beef; 1 ounce packet onion soup mix; 1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; Kosher salt; fresh cracked pepper; 1-2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons butter; 1/2 cup dry white wine; 14.5 ounce can chicken broth; 1 cup uncooked orzo; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 2 ounces shredded cheese (Gruyere or Parmesan – or both!); Kosher salt; fresh cracked pepper; fresh chopped parsley + grated Parmesan for garnish

by basmer

13 de January de 2026

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French Onion Meatballs are the ultimate cozy comfort food that combines the rich flavors of traditional French onion soup with the satisfying bite of meatballs. These delicious morsels are tender, cheesy, and loaded with deeply caramelized onions. They are served over creamy orzo that simmers in a savory pan sauce, making them perfect for a weeknight dinner you’ll want to repeat. The best part? They come together in just one pan!

Why You’ll Love This French Onion Meatballs

This recipe for French onion meatballs will become a staple in your kitchen for several reasons. First, it’s a true crowd-pleaser, satisfying both kids and adults alike. The combination of savory flavors from the caramelized onions and the melted cheese is simply irresistible. Second, it’s incredibly versatile—these meatballs can be served over pasta, rice, or even alongside French bread. Third, you’ll appreciate how easy it is to prepare; with just a few simple steps, you can create a gourmet meal. Additionally, this dish is gluten-free, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions. Lastly, it’s perfect for meal prep—make a batch ahead of time for quick dinners. Enjoy these easy French onion meatballs any night of the week!

Ingredients for French Onion Meatballs

Gather these items:

1 tablespoon butter
1 large yellow onion, petite diced (about 2.5 cups)
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
a few splashes dry white wine
1 pound ground beef
1 ounce packet onion soup mix
1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Kosher salt
fresh cracked pepper
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup dry white wine
14.5 ounce can chicken broth
1 cup uncooked orzo
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 ounces shredded cheese (Gruyere or Parmesan – or both!)
Kosher salt
fresh cracked pepper
fresh chopped parsley + grated Parmesan for garnish

How to Make French Onion Meatballs Step-by-Step

Step 1: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add onion and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes. Deglaze the pan with a few splashes of wine, scraping all the yummy bits off the bottom of the pan. Remove and set aside to a plate to cool.
Step 2: Add cooled caramelized onion, ground beef, onion soup mix, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, Worcestershire, and a few large pinches of salt and pepper to a large bowl.
Step 3: Use hands to mix just until combined. Don’t overmix!
Step 4: Coat palms in olive oil and gently roll into uniform-sized meatballs.
Step 5: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the same large sauté pan over medium heat. Brown meatballs on all sides until cooked through. Cook in batches and add more olive oil as needed. Set aside, but leave drippings in the pan.
Step 6: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the pan over medium heat. Deglaze the pan with white wine, scraping all the yummy bits off the bottom of the pan. Let wine simmer for a couple of minutes.
Step 7: Add broth, uncooked orzo pasta, and heavy cream along with a couple of pinches of salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer gently, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes or until al dente.
Step 8: Stir in Gruyere and Parmesan until melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 9: Nestle meatballs into the orzo and cook for a couple of minutes until warmed through. Garnish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan and enjoy!
Step 10: If you loved this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating and review below!

Pro Tips for the Best French Onion Meatballs

Keep these in mind:

Use fresh herbs for added flavor.
Adjust seasoning to your preference.
Serve immediately for best taste.
For a twist, try using ground pork or turkey for a different flavor profile.

Best Ways to Serve French Onion Meatballs

These savory French onion meatballs can be served in various ways. For a comforting meal, serve them over creamy mashed potatoes. You can also pair them with French bread to soak up the delicious sauce. Alternatively, enjoy them as a filling on a sub sandwich with melted cheese, making them a delightful option for dinner.

How to Store and Reheat French Onion Meatballs

To store leftover French onion meatballs, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, simply warm them in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave. This dish is perfect for meal prep, as you can easily double the recipe and enjoy it throughout the week.

Frequently Asked Questions About French Onion Meatballs

What’s the secret to perfect French Onion Meatballs?

The secret lies in the caramelization of the onions, which adds depth of flavor. Make sure to cook them slowly to enhance their natural sweetness. Also, using quality cheese like Gruyere will elevate the taste significantly.

Can I make French Onion Meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatballs and store them in the fridge before cooking. They can also be frozen for later use. Just make sure to thaw them in the fridge overnight before cooking.

How do I avoid common mistakes with French Onion Meatballs?

Avoid overmixing the meat when forming the meatballs, as this can lead to a tough texture. Also, ensure that you cook the onions thoroughly to achieve that rich, caramelized flavor.

Variations of French Onion Meatballs You Can Try

For a twist on the classic, consider making French onion soup meatballs by adding a broth-based sauce. You can also create gluten-free French onion meatballs by substituting regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free options. For a cheesy delight, try cheesy French onion meatballs by mixing extra cheese into the meatball mixture.

French Onion Meatballs: 5 Savory Recipes to Delight You

Author: basmer
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

French onion meatballs are tender, cheesy, and loaded with caramelized onions. They are served over creamy orzo in a savory pan sauce.

Instructions

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add onion and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes. Deglaze the pan with a few splashes of wine, scraping all the yummy bits off the bottom of the pan. Remove and set aside to a plate to cool.
Add cooled caramelized onion, ground beef, onion soup mix, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, Worcestershire, and a few large pinches of salt and pepper to a large bowl.
Use hands to mix just until combined. Don’t overmix!
Coat palms in olive oil and gently roll into uniform-sized meatballs.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the same large saute pan over medium heat. Brown meatballs on all sides until cooked through. Cook in batches and add more olive oil as needed. Set aside, but leave drippings in the pan.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the pan over medium heat. Deglaze the pan with white wine, scraping all the yummy bits off the bottom of the pan. Let wine simmer for a couple minutes.
Add broth, uncooked orzo pasta, and heavy cream along with a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer gently, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes or until al dente.
Stir in Gruyere and Parmesan until melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Nestle meatballs into the orzo and cook for a couple minutes until warmed through. Garnish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan and enjoy!
If you loved this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating and review below!