Name: French Onion Meatballs
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter, divided; 1 large onion, thinly sliced; 1-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided; 1 teaspoon pepper, divided; 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary; 3 tablespoons dry red wine; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 cups beef stock; 1 pound ground beef; 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs; 1 large egg, beaten; 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese; French bread baguette slices, toasted, optional

French onion meatballs are a soul-warming pan of ground beef in caramelized onion sauce with all the flavor—and melty cheese topping—of French onion soup, making for a hearty, crowd-pleasing dinner.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter, divided

1 large onion, thinly sliced

1-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided

1 teaspoon pepper, divided

1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary

3 tablespoons dry red wine

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups beef stock

1 pound ground beef

1/3 cup panko bread crumbs

1 large egg, beaten

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese

French bread baguette slices, toasted, optional

Instructions

1 Caramelize the onions

2 Preheat the oven to 400°F. Fit a 15x10x1-inch baking sheet with a wire rack and coat both with cooking spray. Set aside. In a large oven-safe skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-low heat. Add the onions and stir to coat. Cook until onions begin to caramelize and are very soft, stirring occasionally, about 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and rosemary. Add the wine; cook until it has evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

3 Make the sauce

4 Stir in the remaining butter; once melted, whisk in the flour until lightly browned. Slowly whisk in beef stock; bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat; set aside.

5 Mix, form and bake the meatballs

6 In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, parsley, garlic, Italian seasoning, remaining 1 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Form the mixture into 24 meatballs and place them on the prepared pan. Bake them until their internal temperature reaches 165°, 15 to 20 minutes.

7 Broil with cheese

8 Transfer meatballs to the skillet with the onion sauce; stir them in gently to combine. Top the meatballs with an even layer of shredded Gruyere. Preheat the broiler. Broil skillet 3 to 4 inches from heat until cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes. If desired, serve with toasted baguette slices.