Who doesn't love a weeknight meal that you can throw together in less than 5 minutes? French onion meatballs is a quick skillet dinner recipe that's going to be your new go-to for the busiest of days.
Table of Contents
- 🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- 🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
- 📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- 🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
- 🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
- 🎥 Watch and cook: step-by-step video tutorial
- 🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat French onion meatballs
- Marye's Tip o' the day
- 💭 Insider tips: things to know
- 👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
- 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- 🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with French onion meatballs
- 🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose leftovers
- 📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
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🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- Frozen meatballs are simmered with sweet caramelized onions in a beefy broth and covered with cheese. Tastes like classic French onion soup but heartier - what's not to like?
- Perfect for the busiest of nights when you're so exhausted putting a box of cereal and a carton of milk on the table seems like the only option.
- Easy recipe to make in batches—you can prepare four (or more!) freezer meals in the same amount of time.
French onion meatballs are perfect when you're craving effortless comfort food.
With tons of flavor from the savory French onion sauce and gooey, melty cheese, no one will be able to tell these juicy meatballs came out of a freezer bag!
🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- Feel free to use any cooked meatballs you like. Beef meatballs are the most common, but those made with ground turkey or chicken will work!
- Repurpose leftover homemade meatballs by using them in this recipe. That's a great way to get two (or more) meals out of one prep session.
- Switch things up and grab some Gruyere cheese to use instead of Swiss or provolone. It's usually in the "fancy" cheese section of the grocery store.
- If you don't want to use frozen, roughly dice up a sweet or yellow onion. (Avoid red onions.) It'll only add a minute to prep—I pinky promise!
🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.
Dump the meatballs and onions into a large skillet.
Pour the French onion soup over top.
Cover with foil and bake.
Top with cheese and place back in the oven until melted.
🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up -
Sprinkle the top with chopped parsley or green onions to make it look pretty!
zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive
🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
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🎥 Watch and cook: step-by-step video tutorial
🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat French onion meatballs
French onion meatballs are a fabulous make-ahead meal, but leftovers are equally delicious!
Refrigerator
Spoon the leftovers into an airtight container, or store them in a ziploc bag. Enjoy within three or four days.
Reheat meatballs on the stove (covered) over medium heat until heated through. You can also use the microwave to warm individual portions.
Freezer
Leftover French onion meatballs keep in the freezer for 3 to 4 months. However, some say that refreezing previously frozen and thawed meatballs can affect their quality.
I haven't noticed that but I wanted to make sure you have all the information.
Make-ahead
These are perfect as a quick "dump dinner". I like to buy 4 bags of meatballs, 4 cans of French Onion soup, and 4 packages of frozen onions to make 4 easy dinners. You'll also want a box of gallon-sized zip-top freezer bags.
- Pour 1 bag of meatballs, one can of soup, and one bag of frozen onions into a gallon-sized freezer bag and seal. Don't add the cheese!
- Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Freeze flat on a cookie sheet.
- Once frozen, remove from cookie sheet and stack in the freezer.
To cook, you'll just let them thaw overnight in the fridge, dump them in a casserole dish or oven-proof skillet, and proceed with the recipe. Add cheese as instruction in the recipe below.
I prefer oven-proof skillet.
Forget to thaw? No problem!
Dump the frozen mixture into a skillet or casserole dish (don't use glass for this one) and bake as directed in the recipe card. You'll want to add about 15 to 20 minutes to the recipe to allow for the meatballs to heat all the way through from frozen.
Marye's Tip o' the day
If you don't feel that the sauce is thick enough you can mix 1 ½ teaspoons of cornstarch with ¼ cup of water or beef stock and add it to the pan. Cook on the stovetop for a minute or two until as thick as you want it. If you used a glass casserole dish you'll want to dip some of the sauce out, thicken it on the stove and stir it back into the casserole.
💭 Insider tips: things to know
- Most French onion recipes include a bit of sherry or cooking wine. If you're feeling fancy, add a splash to the pan. It's not necessary, though.
- Don't add any water to the French onion soup. The frozen meatballs will release some moisture as they cook, leaving you with a perfectly savory, rich sauce.
- Covering the pan with foil locks in moisture. Don't leave any spots open where steam can escape, or your meatballs can taste dry.
- The French onion sauce is delicious, so be sure to serve these meatballs over something yummy, like egg noodles, pasta, or rice. See below for more serving ideas!
These are also great as appetizers right along with cranberry sauce meatballs!
👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
Yes, you can! I'd stick with plainly seasoned meatballs, though. I think Italian seasoning would compete with the rich French onion flavors.
Nope! As shown in the photo steps above, the meatballs will cook straight from frozen.
However, I do recommend letting a make-ahead portion thaw overnight in the fridge so the soup thaws out. If you don't remember, that's okay—it'll just take a bit longer to cook when all the ingredients are frozen together.
I haven't tested this recipe with a dry onion soup mix. We prefer the creaminess and ease of using canned soup, so I recommend that.
⏲️ Marye's time saving hacks -
Instead of using the oven, cook on low in the
📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- Don't miss these Garlic Butter Steak Tips! Done in one skillet in just 15 minutes!
- French onion pork chops have all that great French onion flavor, too.
- Classic and delicious French Onion Soup is made in the crockpot, so your comforting, hearty meal is hot and ready when you arrive home!
- Another fun spin for dinner, French Onion Chicken Bake has the savory onion taste you crave but in a crisp and juicy chicken breast form.
- French Onion Chicken Casserole combines your favorite gooey cheese and caramelized onions into an easy, chicken-filled pasta dinner!
🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with French onion meatballs
Crunchy, sweet, tangy! Broccoli cauliflower salad can be made up to 2 days ahead of time to keep this meal easy!
This easy rustic bread can be made in a cloche or in a dutch oven. Served warm with butter it's the perfect way to soak up the French onion sauce.
Apple spice bundt cake is a delicious finish to this perfect autumn dinner with a French accent! No time for cake? Make these easy Southern fried apples, instead.
🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose leftovers
I like to make French Onion Meatball Sandwiches with the leftovers by spooning the meatballs into warm hoagie rolls before topping them with cheese.
Add sautéed onions, peppers, or whatever toppings you like best. Use the broth as a dip – it’s delicious.
📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
You can also make it in a
Can't get enough French onion flavor? Try this easy French onion pot roast in the slow cooker!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
French Onion Meatballs
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 18 ounces frozen meatballs
- 1 8 ounces frozen diced onions
- 10.75 ounces condensed French onion soup, don't dilute
- 8 ounces Swiss cheese slices
Instructions
To Freeze for Later
- Add all of the ingredients except the cheese to a labeled freezer bag.
- Freeze flat.
To Cook
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if you’ve made it ahead of time. This saves time but is not totally necessary. It may take your dish a bit longer to cook, though.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Grease a 2 quart casserole dish.
- Pour the soup over the meatballs and onions, or dump the contents of the freezer bag into the casserole dish.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Uncover and lay the Swiss cheese over the meatballs.
- Return to the oven until the cheese is melted.
- Serve as desired.
Notes
- If you don't feel that the sauce is thick enough you can mix 1 ½ teaspoons of cornstarch with ¼ cup of water or beef stock and add it to the pan. Cook on the stovetop for a minute or two until as thick as you want it.
- Don't add water to the condensed French onion soup.
- Covering the pan with foil locks in moisture. Don't leave any spots open where steam can escape, or your meatballs can taste dry.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
First published August 11, 2023. Last updated October 9 2024 for readability, more tips and helps, and editorial improvements.
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Colleen says
I do not have a skillet that can go in the oven. Can I cook it in a 9x13 glass casserole dish?
Marye says
Yes that should be fine! 375 for 20 minutes Probably.
Linda says
Never said when to add the onions.
Do you thaw the meatballs first?
Marye says
You add the onion, the meatballs, and the soup at the same time. No need to thaw.