If you are a fan of French onion soup…this is the recipe for you! These meatballs are stuffed to the max with amazing flavor! The center of these bad boys holds a pocket of sweet caramelized onions and ooey-gooey Gruyere cheese, and they’re every bit as good as they sound.
Here is how to make them!
Ingredients
- For the onions and meatballs:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 large sweet onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme, divided
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 8 oz Gruyere or Swiss cheese, 2 oz cut into 1/2-inch cubes, the rest grated
- For the sauce:
- 1 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add onions, season with salt and pepper, and cook until caramelized, stirring frequently, about 15-20 minutes.
- Add half of the thyme, cook for one minute, and then add 1/4 cup wine and 1/4 cup beef broth.
- Cook until liquid has reduced; very little liquid should remain. Remove to a plate or bowl and set aside.
- To a large bowl, add ground beef, remaining thyme, breadcrumbs, egg, and about 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix together thoroughly with your hands and divide into 16 equal pieces.
- Take a piece of the meat mixture and flatten into a patty. Add a 1/2 tablespoon of the onions and a cube of cheese to the center of the patty and wrap the meat around the onions and cheese to form a meatball. Repeat with remaining meat.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Heat remaining oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs and brown on all sides, turning gently.
- Whisk together 1 3/4 cup beef broth, 1/4 cup wine, and cornstarch and pour over browned meatballs.
- Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes. Sprinkle remaining cheese evenly over meatballs and return to oven until meatballs are cooked through, about 15 more minutes.
- To brown cheese, place under broiler for a few minutes. Enjoy!