French Onion Stew and Meatballs

Name: French Onion Stew and Meatballs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: European, French
Ingredients: 1 kg (35oz) old onions, (peeled and cut); 500 g (17oz) ground meat, (beef, pork or other ); 1 medium egg; 6 tbsp. butter, (or more as needed); 2 tbsp. thyme; 1 tbsp. sweet paprika; 2 tbsp. all purpose flour; 1 tbsp. tomato paste, (heaping ); 3 tbsp. minced fresh parsley; 400 ml water, or broth for stew; sea salt and black pepper to taste