Description
This French Onion Ground Beef Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish featuring caramelized onions, tender ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, and tender egg noodles all baked together with melted cheese and crispy fried onions on top for an irresistible crunch. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines savory flavors with a creamy texture and a crunchy topping that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 cups cooked egg noodles (or pasta of choice)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
- 1 1/2 cups crispy French fried onions (divided)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Caramelize Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and sauté for about 10–12 minutes until they turn golden brown and caramelized. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook until the beef is fully browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Drain off excess grease if necessary to keep the casserole from being too greasy.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Mix everything thoroughly. Then gently fold in the cooked egg noodles and 1 cup of the crispy French fried onions to combine evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the beef and noodle mixture to the prepared baking dish. Evenly spread the mixture out. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese over the top, followed by the remaining 1/2 cup of crispy French fried onions for an extra crunchy topping.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly, the cheese is fully melted, and the top is slightly golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, then serve hot for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- Using freshly caramelized onions adds deep flavor, but you can shortcut with frozen caramelized onions if pressed for time.
- Feel free to substitute mozzarella with Swiss or cheddar cheese as preferred.
- For a lower-fat version, use lean ground beef and reduced-fat sour cream.
- This casserole can be assembled a day ahead and baked when ready to serve.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
