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French Onion Beef Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 107 reviews

This French Onion Beef Casserole combines rich caramelized onions, tender ground beef, and creamy mushroom soup with cheesy egg noodles baked to bubbly perfection. It’s a comforting, savory dish perfect for family dinners, featuring layers of flavor enhanced by Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and optional mushrooms or bacon. Crispy fried onions top the casserole for a delightful crunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef (or substitute ground turkey or chicken)
  • 12 oz egg noodles, cooked al dente
  • 2 large onions (yellow or sweet), thinly sliced
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese (or mozzarella or cheddar)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 cup crispy fried onions, for topping

Optional Ingredients

  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • ½ cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • ¼ cup red wine (for deglazing onions)
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish
  • ½ cup French bread croutons, for crunchy topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
  2. Caramelize Onions: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes until caramelized and golden brown. If using, add red wine during the last few minutes to deglaze and enrich the flavor.
  3. Add Seasonings: Stir minced garlic, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper into the caramelized onions. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to release the aromas.
  4. Brown Ground Beef: In a separate pan, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat to keep the casserole from being greasy.
  5. Combine Mixture: Add the beef broth, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, and the caramelized onion mixture to the browned beef. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
  6. Add Noodles: Fold in the cooked egg noodles to the beef and onion mixture until everything is evenly mixed.
  7. Assemble Casserole: Transfer the combined mixture into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese evenly over the top.
  8. Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top has melted completely.
  9. Add Crunchy Toppings: During the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle the crispy fried onions and optional French bread croutons on top for added texture and crunch. Return to oven to finish baking.
  10. Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm for a hearty, comforting meal.

Notes

  • For deeper flavor, add a splash of red wine while caramelizing onions to deglaze and enrich taste.
  • Mushrooms and bacon can be included in the beef mixture for additional savory layers.
  • Swap Gruyère cheese with mozzarella or cheddar to change the cheese profile based on preference.
  • Drain excess fat thoroughly after browning beef to avoid greasy casserole.
  • Make sure onions are well caramelized to bring out the sweet, rich flavor characteristic of French onion dishes.

Keywords: French onion beef casserole, beef casserole, creamy beef casserole, baked egg noodles, comfort food, caramelized onions casserole

Find it online: https://tastemadebyclara.com/french-onion-beef-casserole-recipe/