easy, budget-friendly dinner idea!
if you’re looking for a recipe you can dump in the crockpot and forget about it— this one is for you! It’s super easy, takes a few ingredients that will cost less than $15 all in all. And you can switch up the noodles for mashed potatoes or orzo if you want!
ingredients:
*frozen meatballs, 32 oz
*french onion soup mix
*two cans (or one carton) beef broth
*2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
*approx 8 oz egg noodles (I do around half a bag of 16oz)
*1 cup sour cream (optional)
*Gruyère cheese (optional)
directions:
*add meatballs, soup mix, broth, and Worcestershire sauce to crockpot
*stir and cook on low until meatballs are cooked through and sauce is sauce-y. You can leave them on low/warm at this point until you are about 45-60 minutes out from dinner time
*when close to dinner time, add in the sour cream, if desired, and stir. Then add in noodles. You’ll want to pat down the noodles to make sure they are all covered by liquid. If needed add a little water to make sure the noodles are fully covered. They will absorb most of the liquid.
*cook on high until the noodles are done— this is VERY dependent on your slow cooker how long it will take, mine is usually around 45 minutes. The sauce will thicken up at this point too. So check on it around then to see if noodles are cooked. If you want to add cheese (I recommend Gruyère, Swiss or even Parmesan) now is the time!
*I usually remove the lid and let sit for about 5 minutes so sauce can thicken up
Notes:
*slow cooker times widely vary, so just keep an eye on the noodles toward the end so they don’t get mushy!
*you can definitely replace the noodles with mashed potatoes, or even serve the meatballs and noodles over the potatoes! If opting for potatoes instead then you’ll want to cut the broth in half. I still do a whole packet of the soup mix because it’s tasty
*I have also made it with orzo, however I cooked it separate and added some Parmesan cheese and a little heavy cream and then served the meatballs over top. You could try cooking the orzo in the crockpot but again I can’t vouch for it
I absolutely love recipes that simplify dinner prep, especially those that are budget-friendly and require minimal effort—this French onion meatball crockpot recipe fits the bill perfectly. What makes it so great is how versatile it is; you can easily swap out the egg noodles for mashed potatoes or orzo, allowing you to tailor the meal to your preference or what you have on hand. When I first tried making this, I was curious about the timing for adding noodles. What worked well was starting the meatballs and broth mixture early on low heat, so the flavors meld beautifully. Then, about an hour before dinner, adding the noodles to ensure they cook perfectly without becoming mushy. It’s important to keep an eye on the noodles during this time since slow cooker performances can differ. For added creaminess, I highly recommend stirring in sour cream at the end before adding noodles. It creates a rich, comforting sauce that pairs amazingly with the French onion soup mix’s savory depth. And if you’re a cheese lover like me, topping it off with Gruyère or Parmesan just elevates the dish. This recipe also makes excellent leftovers. I like to cook the orzo separately and mix it with a bit of Parmesan and cream, serving the meatballs on top for a slightly different take the next day. Plus, using frozen meatballs keeps it super convenient, making this a great option for busy weeknights or even meal prepping for the week. In summary, this recipe offers a delicious, comforting meal that is easy on the wallet and delivers big on flavor. It’s perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a cozy dinner without spending too much time or money in the kitchen.
