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Real Food With Altitude » Recipes » Whole30

French Onion Meatballs

Mar 5, 2021 · Modified: Apr 27, 2024 by Hayley · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

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A popular comfort food is French onion soup, however, it is never really that filling... I mean it really is only broth and onions. So why not switch it up and make French Onion Meatballs. You get all the flavor plus all your nutrients. Lots of protein, veggies, and fat!

Since part of the reason we love French onion soup is because of the magical cheese pull, I had to put it with something just as decadent. This is where the mashed potatoes come in, creamy, garlicky goodness to go with the meatballs. Of course, if dairy does well with you (or if that is something you find worth it for yourself) add some cheese to the top too! No one is stopping you. However, to allow those of you on a Whole30 round or who stick to a more paleo lifestyle, this is a perfect recipe for you.

French Onion Soup can be a really intimidating recipe because it can take so long to cook the actual soup. Don't worry, if you know any of my recipes, it is pretty fast and easy! You could even make the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them so you have them ready for a weeknight meal.

Tips for French Onion Meatballs:

  1. As always you can use any ground meat that you like. Ground chicken is my favorite for meatballs, but feel free to use any meat.
  2. Like I said above, meatballs make great freezer meals so make extras.
  3. Add cheese if you have no problem with dairy. Typically French onion soup has Gruyere cheese.
  4. For the mashed potatoes, I account for about 2 potatoes per person so if you have 4 people in your family, use 8 potatoes for the recipe.

French Onion Meatballs

Hayley Lucero
A fresh, healthy spin on a comfort food favorite.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

Meatballs

  • 2 Cups Beef Broth
  • 1 lb Ground chicken
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 white onions sliced thin
  • 2 teaspoon thyme
  • 2 teaspoon Fresh Parsley
  • 2 teaspoon Sage
  • 1 teaspoon Arrowroot Powder
  • 2 tablespoon Minced Garlic
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Mashed Potatoes

  • 4 Russet Potatoes
  • 2 tablespoon Minced Garlic
  • 1 tablespoon Parsley
  • 2 teaspoon Salt and Pepper
  • 1 Cup Beef Broth
  • 1 ½ Cup Coconut Milk
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Instructions
 

Meatballs

  • Combine chicken, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1 teaspoon parsley, 1 teaspoon sage, 1 teaspoon thyme, and 1 egg in a bowl.
    1 lb Ground chicken, 2 teaspoon thyme, 2 teaspoon Sage, 2 tablespoon Minced Garlic, 1 egg
  • Then scoop 1-inch meatballs into an oiled air fryer. Cook on 375 for 13 minutes. If you don't have an air fryer scoop them on an oiled sheet pan and cook in the oven on 375 for 20 minutes.
  • While meatballs are cooking, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pan on medium, low heat. Then add the onions to the pan. Cook on medium-low heat for about 20 minutes. You want the onions to sweat, so you can also cover the pan to help cook them faster. You don't want to caramelize them!
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 white onions
  • Once onions are cooked down and soft, add the 2 cups beef broth, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1 teaspoon parsley, 1 teaspoon sage, 1 teaspoon thyme, and 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder to the pan. Be sure you whisk the arrowroot powder completely so there is no clump.
    2 Cups Beef Broth, 2 teaspoon thyme, 2 teaspoon Fresh Parsley, 2 teaspoon Sage, 1 teaspoon Arrowroot Powder, 2 tablespoon Minced Garlic
  • Let the sauce thicken. It will be soupy, but not watery.

Mashed Potatoes

  • Dice the potatoes into about 2-inch cubes. Boil on high until fork tender- it should take about 20 minutes.
    4 Russet Potatoes
  • While the potatoes are cooking heat up the beef broth and coconut milk so they are at least at room temp, but warmer is better- it helps keep the potatoes from getting gummy when they are mixing.
    1 ½ Cup Coconut Milk, 1 Cup Beef Broth
  • When potatoes are done drain them and add them to a bowl of your stand mixer. Mix in garlic, parsley, salt, pepper and slowly add beef broth and coconut milk until smooth.
    1 tablespoon Parsley, 2 teaspoon Salt and Pepper, 2 tablespoon Minced Garlic
  • Serve meatballs over the potatoes and pour over extra "soup" on top and enjoy!! 

Notes

  1. As always you can use any ground meat that you like. Ground chicken is my favorite for meatballs, but feel free to use any meat.
  2. Like I said above, meatballs make great freezer meals so make extras.
  3. Add cheese if you have no problem with dairy. Typically French onion soup has Gruyere cheese.
  4. For the mashed potatoes, I account for about 2 potatoes per person so if you have 4 people in your family, use 8 potatoes for the recipe.
Tried this recipe?Mention @realfoodwithaltitude or tag #realfoodwithaltitude!

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Hey, I'm Hayley

A Colorado native, Board Certified Health Coach, and founder, recipe developer, and photographer behind Real Food With Altitude. Since 2020 Hayley has been developing recipes that are easy to make, healthy, and enjoyable for the whole family. Her recipes are inspired by her own health journey to heal her gut so they all consist of real food that is nourishing and delicious.

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