Description
Hearty French onion beef casserole delivers classic comfort with caramelized onions and rich beef flavors. Cheese-topped layers promise a satisfying meal that brings rustic French countryside warmth to dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups shredded gruyere or swiss cheese (or mozzarella or cheddar)
- 1 lb ground beef (lean preferred, or substitute with ground turkey or chicken)
- 12 oz egg noodles, cooked al dente
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 large onions, yellow or sweet, thinly sliced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup crispy fried onions, for topping
- 2 tbsps butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring a consistent cooking environment for the casserole.
- In a large skillet, caramelize sliced onions in melted butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 20-25 minutes until deep golden brown. Optional: Deglaze with red wine during the final minutes to enhance flavor complexity.
- Incorporate minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper into the caramelized onions, allowing the aromatics to bloom for 1-2 minutes.
- Brown ground beef in a separate pan, thoroughly draining excess fat to maintain a rich, concentrated meat flavor.
- Combine browned beef with beef broth, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and Worcestershire sauce, creating a robust and creamy base.
- Fold in the caramelized onions and cooked egg noodles, ensuring even distribution of ingredients throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish, creating an even layer for consistent cooking.
- Generously top the casserole with shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese, providing a luxurious and melty cheese layer.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the casserole becomes bubbly and the cheese melts completely.
- During the final 5 minutes, sprinkle crispy fried onions and optional croutons for added texture and crunch.
- Remove from oven and garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous finish before serving.
Notes
- Caramelize onions slowly over low-medium heat to develop deep, rich flavor without burning.
- Use a cast-iron skillet for even heat distribution and better caramelization of onions.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative.
- Choose low-sodium broth and cream of mushroom soup to control salt content and make the dish more diet-friendly.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg