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Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs Over Garlic Mashed Potatoes

slow cooker French onion meatballs - featured image
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This cozy comfort food recipe combines juicy beef meatballs and caramelized onions in a rich, herby broth, all cooked hands-off in the slow cooker and served over creamy garlic mashed potatoes. It’s a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for busy weeknights or special Sunday dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs (or panko)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup milk (any kind, including non-dairy)
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 3 large yellow onions (about 2 lbs), thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 1/2 cups beef broth (low sodium recommended)
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • 2 lbs russet or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 4–5 whole garlic cloves, peeled
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup milk or heavy cream (more if needed)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese (optional, for serving)
  • Fresh herbs like thyme or parsley (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Melt 3 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring every few minutes, until onions are deep golden brown and very soft, about 30-40 minutes. Add a splash of water if onions stick.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, parmesan, egg, milk, parsley, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix gently until just combined.
  3. Roll mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs (about 18-20 total). Place on a plate or tray.
  4. Optional: Brown meatballs in batches in a skillet over medium-high heat, turning for color on all sides (about 2 minutes per batch).
  5. Sprinkle 2 tbsp flour over caramelized onions and stir for 1 minute. Slowly pour in beef broth while stirring. Add Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper.
  6. Pour half the onion sauce into the bottom of a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Arrange meatballs in a single layer, then top with remaining sauce. Nestle in the bay leaf.
  7. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-7 hours, until meatballs are cooked through (160°F internal temp) and sauce is thickened. If sauce is thin, uncover and cook on HIGH for 20-30 minutes to reduce.
  8. For the mashed potatoes: Place potatoes and garlic cloves in a large pot, cover with cold water, add 1 tbsp salt, and bring to a boil. Simmer until fork-tender (about 15-17 minutes). Drain, return to pot, and mash with 4 tbsp butter and 1/2 cup milk or cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more milk for extra creaminess if needed.
  9. To serve: Spoon garlic mashed potatoes onto plates. Top with meatballs and onion sauce. Sprinkle with grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese and fresh herbs if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For best flavor, take your time caramelizing the onions. Browning the meatballs adds extra depth but can be skipped for convenience. To make gluten-free, use GF breadcrumbs and flour. For a lighter version, swap potatoes for cauliflower mash. Leftovers freeze well (except mashed potatoes).

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, French onion, meatballs, comfort food, mashed potatoes, beef, easy dinner, crockpot, family meal, cozy, hearty, meal prep

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/slow-cooker-french-onion-meatballs-recipe-easy-comfort-food-over-garlic-mashed-potatoes/