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A scoop of cheesy beef and noodle casserole being lifted from a baking dish, illustrating the texture of the French Onion Beef Casserole.

French Onion Beef Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Meal

Discover the ultimate comfort food with our French Onion Beef Casserole. This recipe combines rich caramelized onions, savory ground beef, and a gooey Gruyère cheese topping for a delicious and easy one-pan meal the whole family will love.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, French
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 2 large Onions thinly sliced
  • 1.5 lbs Ground Beef 85/15 recommended
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper
  • 3 cups Beef Broth
  • 0.5 cup Dry Red Wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, optional
  • 12 oz Egg Noodles cooked
  • 1 cup Croutons
  • 2 cups Gruyère Cheese shredded

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch baking dish
  • 1 Large skillet or Dutch oven

Method
 

  1. Melt butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden brown and soft.
  2. Remove onions and set aside. In the same skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with minced garlic. Drain excess fat.
  3. Stir flour, thyme, salt, and pepper into the beef and cook for 1 minute. Deglaze the pan with red wine, then stir in the beef broth. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  4. While the sauce simmers, cook egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
  5. Stir the caramelized onions and cooked noodles into the beef mixture. Transfer everything to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
  6. Top the casserole with croutons and shredded Gruyère cheese. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden.
  7. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.

Notes

For the best flavor, don't rush the caramelization of the onions. It's the most important step!
Shred your own cheese from a block for the smoothest, meltiest topping.
Feel free to substitute the red wine with additional beef broth if you prefer to cook without alcohol.