Crockpot French Onion Soup & Meatballs

Step 1 – Starter Ingredients

1 Large Bay Leaf (whole)
2 Large Garlic Cloves (minced)
3 Large Onions (thinly sliced)
1 TBSP Balsamic Vinegar
1 TBSP Unsalted Butter
1/2 TSP Black Pepper (to taste)
1/2 TSP Salt (to taste)
2 TSP Worcestershire Sauce

Step 1 – Starter Instructions

Thinly slice onions and place in crock pot. Add all ingredients. Stir. Cover and cook on high for one hour. Stir, resume cooking for one hour and repeat once more.

Step 2 – Meatballs Ingredients

1/2 Cup Panko Breadcrumbs
1 Large Egg
1 1/2 lbs Lean Ground Beef
1 Packet Dry Onion Soup Mix
1/2 TSP Herbes de Provence

Step 2 – Meatballs Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Mix all ingredients together. Create small bite-sized meatballs. Place on the baking sheet, cook for 10 minutes. Remove, place on a papertowled plate, cool and place in the refrigerator.

Step 3 – Broth Ingredients

1 Baguette (sliced, toasted)
1 10.5 oz Can Condensed French Onion Soup
1 Cup Unsalted Beef Broth
1 1/2 – 2 Cups Shredded Gruyère Cheese
1/2 TSP Herbes de Provence

Step 3 – Broth Instructions

Add the broth, Herbes de Provence, meatballs, soup to the slow cooker. Gently stir.

Cover and cook on high for 2 hours.

Remove individual serving(s) of meatballs and soup to a baking dish. Generously, top with Gruyère Cheese. Broil for 1 minute until cheese is melted. Serve with sliced and toasted baguette.

Tips

Add extra Beef Broth for a soupier dish.
Approximately 6 cups of sliced onions.
Baguette replacement is garlic bread, mashed potatoes or rice.
Cheese melts in roughly 8 – 10 minutes.
Cheese weighs between 6 – 8 ounces.
Ground Beef substitute is chicken or turkey.
Gruyère Cheese substitute is Fontina, Mozzarella or Swiss Cheese.
Herbes de Provence substitute is dried thyme.
Lean Ground Beef should be 85/15 or 90/10.
Leftovers last up to 2 months in the freezer.
Premade meatballs last 2 days in the refrigerator.
Premade meatballs last 2 months in the freezer.
Reheat in the microwave with a paper towel for 3 minutes, stir and check for doneness.
Reheat on stove top on medium heat.
Scoop from the crockpot what you plan to eat in a broiler dish. Generously coat with cheese and broil. Freeze leftovers flat in a freezer safe plastic container or ziplock bag.
Small cookie scoop works well for same size meatballs.
Small meatballs would serve well as a appetizer on sliced baguette bread and broiled cheese.
Step 1 cooks for a total of 3 hours.
Thaw overnight,
Unsalted Beef Broth may be substituted with plain water.
We strive for low sodium with our food, you may add up to 1 TSP of Salt.
You may do the meatballs the last 30 minutes of Step 1 cooking instead of placing them in the refrigerator.