Description
Savory french onion meatballs bring classic French bistro comfort straight to kitchen tables with irresistible flavor. Melted gruyère cheese and caramelized onion sauce elevate these tender meatballs into a memorable culinary experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Binding and Moisture Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (177 ml) cubed white bread
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
- 1 large egg
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/3 cup onion, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare a mixing vessel and soak bread cubes in milk, allowing them to absorb liquid for 8-10 minutes until softened.
- Incorporate ground beef, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, seasoning, egg, salt, and pepper into the soaked bread mixture.
- Gently form uniform meatballs using a consistent scooping technique, ensuring equal sizing for even cooking.
- Arrange meatballs on a lined baking sheet, providing space between each sphere to promote proper heat circulation.
- Roast meatballs in a preheated 400°F oven for approximately 20 minutes until golden brown and thoroughly cooked.
- Meanwhile, initialize caramelization process for French onions by melting butter in a heavy-bottomed skillet over moderate heat.
- Introduce sliced onions with a delicate salt sprinkle, allowing slow, gentle browning for enhanced flavor development.
- Incorporate minced garlic and continue sautéing until aromatics become fragrant and translucent.
- Deglaze the skillet with wine, then introduce beef broth and fresh thyme, creating a rich, complex pan sauce.
- Transfer perfectly roasted meatballs directly into the onion mixture, gently coating each morsel with the luxurious sauce.
- Generously crown the meatballs with grated cheese, then transfer skillet to broiler set at high temperature.
- Monitor closely as cheese melts and develops a golden, bubbling crust, typically requiring 3-4 minutes.
- Retrieve skillet, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve immediately while temperature and flavors remain optimal.
Notes
- Bread Soaking Trick: Use day-old bread for better absorption and texture in meatballs, creating a more tender and moist result.
- Wine Selection: Choose a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to enhance the onion’s sweetness without overpowering the dish.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Let cheese rest for a minute after broiling to achieve that perfect stretchy, golden-brown crust without burning.
- Dietary Modification: Swap beef for ground turkey or plant-based meat alternative to accommodate different dietary preferences while maintaining rich flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg