Baked French Onion Meatballs (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ For the Meatballs

01 - 450 g ground beef
02 - 1 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
08 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ For the French Onion Sauce

09 - 2 large onions, thinly sliced
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
13 - 1 cup beef broth
14 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
15 - 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
16 - Fresh parsley for garnish

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 200°C. Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly, then shape into 1.5-inch meatballs. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
02 - Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized (about 15-20 minutes). Stir in balsamic vinegar, beef broth, and thyme. Bring to a simmer and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
04 - Reduce oven temperature to 175°C. Transfer baked meatballs to a large baking dish. Pour the French onion sauce over the meatballs, then sprinkle evenly with shredded Gruyère cheese.
05 - Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm.

# Notes:

01 - Ensure the onions are fully caramelized for maximum flavor.