Description
This French Onion Meatball Stew is the ultimate comfort food for chilly days. With tender meatballs, caramelized onions, and a rich broth, it’s a crockpot masterpiece that fills your home with mouthwatering aromas and your soul with warmth. Simple, hearty, and deeply flavorful—this is a dish you’ll return to time and time again.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef or pork
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Base Stew Ingredients:
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion (diced)
- 2 stalks celery (diced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 large carrots (diced)
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs
- In a bowl, combine ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mix gently until combined, then roll into 1-inch balls. Chill for 15 minutes if possible.
Step 2: Sauté Vegetables
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sauté onion and celery until onion is translucent (about 2 minutes).
- Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Step 3: Assemble in Crockpot
- Transfer sautéed vegetables to the crockpot.
- Add bouillon cubes, thyme, black pepper, bay leaf, carrots, and rice.
- Place meatballs on top and pour chicken broth over everything.
Step 4: Cook the Stew
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Taste and adjust seasonings 30 minutes before serving.
Step 5: Serve
- Remove bay leaf.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or Parmesan and serve hot.
Notes
- For extra flavor, brown the meatballs before adding them to the crockpot.
- Use fresh thyme instead of dried for a brighter flavor.
- Add a cornstarch slurry (1 Tbsp cornstarch + 2 Tbsp water) in the last 30 minutes for a thicker stew.
- Substitute rice with barley, quinoa, or orzo if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: French-Inspired