Here’s how to make Homemade Cheesy Meatballs in a Rich Creamy Onion Sauce — comforting, flavor-packed, and perfect over mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice.
🍽️ Homemade Cheesy Meatballs in Creamy Onion Sauce
Serves: 4–6
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
🧆 Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
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1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or half beef, half pork for extra flavor)
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½ cup breadcrumbs
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1 egg
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½ cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar
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2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (or parsley + oregano)
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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1–2 tablespoons milk (to soften mixture if needed)
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Olive oil or butter, for browning
For the Creamy Onion Sauce:
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2 tablespoons butter
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1 large onion, thinly sliced
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1 clove garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon flour (for thickening)
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1 cup beef broth
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1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
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1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
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½ teaspoon dijon mustard (optional but adds depth)
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½ cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, Swiss, or provolone — melty types work best)
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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Fresh parsley for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the Meatballs:
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In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, cheeses, garlic, seasonings, and a splash of milk.
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Mix gently until just combined (don’t overwork).
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Roll into balls (about 1½ inches wide).
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Heat a bit of olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
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Brown meatballs on all sides (they don’t need to be fully cooked yet). Remove and set aside.
2. Make the Creamy Onion Sauce:
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In the same skillet, add butter and sliced onions.
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Sauté for 8–10 minutes, stirring often, until soft and golden brown.
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Add garlic; cook 30 seconds.
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Sprinkle in flour; stir and cook for 1 minute to remove the raw taste.
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Slowly whisk in beef broth, then cream, Worcestershire, and mustard.
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Bring to a gentle simmer until thickened slightly (about 3–5 minutes).
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Stir in cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Combine:
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Return browned meatballs to the skillet, spooning sauce over them.
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Cover and simmer on low heat for 10–15 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through and sauce is rich and creamy.
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Garnish with fresh parsley and a little extra cheese if you like.
🍝 Serving Ideas
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Over mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or rice
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With a side of garlic bread or roasted vegetables
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Add a handful of spinach or mushrooms to the sauce for a flavor twist
💡 Tips
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Use panko breadcrumbs for extra tenderness.
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You can bake the meatballs (400°F / 200°C for 15–18 min) instead of pan-frying if you prefer.
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For a deeper flavor, caramelize the onions slowly over 15 minutes.
Would you like me to give you a casserole-style version (baked with cheese on top)?