Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs

This Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs recipe transforms simple frozen meatballs into a rich, comforting meal with minimal effort. The savory onion broth and melted mozzarella cheese shine through, making it an easy slow cooker dish perfect for busy nights or casual gatherings.

I started making this recipe on busy weekdays when I needed something comforting but easy. Once my family tried it, it quickly became a favorite that I make often when time is tight.

Ingredients

• Frozen beef homestyle meatballs: that hold their shape and soak up flavor well you can swap with homemade but cook almost fully first
• Low or no sodium beef broth: to control the saltiness using lower sodium options keeps the dish balanced
• French onion soup mix: or a beefy onion soup mix provides the signature onion flavor homemade mix works well to customize salt and seasoning
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: melts nicely on top creating a gooey, creamy layer shredded gruyere is a great alternative
• Fresh thyme: optional but adds a nice herbaceous garnish when sprinkled on at serving time
• Cornstarch: used as a slurry thickens the broth creating a rich sauce that clings to the meatballs

Instructions

Add the Meatballs:

Place frozen meatballs in a single layer at the bottom of your 4 to 6 quart crockpot. This ensures even cooking and flavor absorption.

Pour the Soup Mix:

Pour a full can of French onion soup over the meatballs evenly, coating them well with the broth base.

Add Soup Mix and Broth:

Sprinkle the beefy onion soup mix over the meatballs and pour in one cup of beef broth to deepen the savory onion flavor.

Slow Cook:

Cover the crockpot and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or on low for 5 to 6 hours allowing the meatballs to absorb the broth and warm through.

Make the Slurry:

In a small bowl, stir together water and cornstarch until smooth. This slurry is essential to thicken the onion broth into a velvety sauce.

Combine Slurry with Meatballs:

Pour the slurry into the crockpot and stir gently to combine. Cover again and cook for an additional 10 minutes to thicken the sauce.

Add Cheese:

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover once more and let the cheese melt completely, forming a luscious cheesy layer.

Serve:

These meatballs are fantastic served over creamy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or alongside buttery dinner rolls to soak up the delicious onion sauce. Garnish with fresh thyme if desired.

My favorite ingredient here has to be the French onion soup mix. It brings everything together with that classic caramelized onion essence that’s hard to beat. One cozy evening I made this for my family during a chilly fall weekend, and it became an instant hit with everyone asking for seconds.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave until warmed through. If freezing, keep in a freezer-safe container and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Ingredient Substitutions

Homemade meatballs can replace frozen ones as long as they are mostly cooked beforehand. Shredded gruyere, provolone, or even cheddar cheese can be substituted for mozzarella depending on your preference. If you cannot find French onion soup mix, use a combination of onion powder, beef bouillon, and dried herbs to mimic the flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Serve over creamy mashed potatoes for a classic comfort food plate. Egg noodles tossed with butter or a little parmesan complement the meatballs well. Fresh steamed green beans or a crisp salad add a nice balance to the richness.

This slow cooker French onion meatballs recipe is an easy, comforting meal for busy nights. Serve over mashed potatoes or egg noodles for a cozy dinner.

FAQs About This Recipe

→ Can I use homemade meatballs instead of frozen?

Yes, homemade meatballs work well if they are nearly cooked before adding to the slow cooker. This prevents them from falling apart or releasing excess grease during cooking.

→ What type of meatballs are best for this dish?

Homestyle beef meatballs pair best with the French onion flavors, while Italian-seasoned ones may clash with the broth's taste.

→ How should I serve the French onion meatballs?

They are great as a main course served with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or steamed vegetables. Dinner rolls are also ideal for soaking up extra broth.

→ Is this dish salty?

Saltiness depends on the broth and soup mix used. Opting for low or no sodium broth and soup mix helps control salt levels for balanced flavor.

→ Do meatballs need to be thawed before cooking?

No thawing needed; frozen meatballs can be placed straight into the crock pot for slow cooking.

→ Can I add other ingredients for extra flavor?

Adding sliced mushrooms or fresh onions enhances texture and deepens the umami flavor in this dish.

→ How long can I cook the meatballs in the crock pot?

Cooking on low for 5-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours is recommended. Cooking longer mainly infuses more flavor without affecting texture.

→ How should leftovers be stored?

Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently to preserve the cheese texture. Freezing is possible but may alter the cheese consistency.