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French Onion Meatball Skillet Bake – Easy One-Pan Garlic Bread Dinner

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This French Onion Meatball Skillet Bake combines juicy homemade meatballs, deeply caramelized onion gravy, and a cheesy garlic bread crust for the ultimate comfort food. It’s a one-pan, crowd-pleasing dinner perfect for chilly nights or family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or homemade)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried)
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 cup beef broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (or more broth)
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 baguette or 4 slices rustic bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 tsp dried parsley or Italian seasoning

Instructions

  1. Heat butter and olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions, sugar, salt, and thyme. Stir frequently and cook until onions are deeply golden and caramelized, about 20-25 minutes.
  2. Pour in wine (or extra broth) and let it bubble, scraping up any stuck bits. Add beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Form into 1-inch meatballs (about 16-18).
  4. Remove onions from skillet and set aside. Add a drizzle of oil if needed, then brown meatballs on all sides over medium-high heat (5-7 minutes). Do not cook through; just brown.
  5. Return onions and gravy to skillet. Nestle browned meatballs into the onion mixture.
  6. Toss bread cubes with melted butter, minced garlic, Parmesan, and seasoning. Scatter over meatballs and onions. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top.
  7. Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through (165°F internal temp) and bread is golden and crispy.
  8. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to settle and bread crust to stay crisp.

Notes

Caramelize onions low and slow for best flavor. Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender. Bread cubes should be about 1-inch for the perfect texture. You can prep onions and meatballs ahead. For gluten-free, use GF breadcrumbs and bread. Gruyère or Swiss cheese can be substituted for mozzarella for a more classic French onion flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: French onion, meatball skillet, garlic bread, one-pan dinner, comfort food, casserole, easy weeknight meal, cheesy bake, family dinner

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