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Juicy Baked Beef Meatballs in Cheesy, Buttery Onion Sauce

There is something wonderfully comforting about a pan of homemade meatballs bubbling away in a rich, cheesy sauce. These juicy seasoned beef meatballs baked in a buttery onion sauce take that comfort-food feeling to the next level. The meatballs are tender and flavorful on the inside, while the sauce is silky, savory, and loaded with sweet caramelized onions. A generous layer of cheese melts over everything in the oven, creating a golden, bubbly topping that makes this dish irresistible.

It is an excellent choice for a cozy family dinner because most of the preparation can be done in one dish, and the oven does the final work. Serve the meatballs with mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, crusty bread, or roasted vegetables to soak up every bit of the sauce.

Ingredients

For the Beef Meatballs

1 pound (450 g) ground beef
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons finely grated onion
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

For the Cheesy Onion Sauce

2 tablespoons butter
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
Fresh parsley, for garnish

Step 1: Prepare the Meatball Mixture

Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Place the ground beef in a large mixing bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, grated onion, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, milk, and parsley.

Using clean hands or a fork, gently combine everything until the ingredients are evenly distributed.

The key is not to overmix the beef. Mixing too aggressively can make the meatballs dense and chewy instead of soft and tender. Stop as soon as the mixture comes together.

Step 2: Shape the Meatballs

Lightly wet your hands with water or rub them with a tiny amount of oil. Scoop out portions of the mixture and roll them gently into balls.

Aim for meatballs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Keeping them approximately the same size helps them cook evenly.

Arrange the meatballs in a lightly greased baking dish or oven-safe skillet, leaving a little space between each one.

Step 3: Brown the Meatballs

For extra flavor, heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add a small drizzle of oil.

Place the meatballs in the skillet and brown them for approximately 1–2 minutes per side. You are not trying to cook them completely at this stage. The goal is simply to develop a beautiful browned exterior.

Transfer the meatballs to a plate temporarily.

If you prefer a simpler preparation, you can skip this step and bake the raw meatballs directly in the sauce. However, browning adds an extra layer of savory flavor.