Description
This French Onion Soup Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish combining the deep flavors of sautéed onions with creamy cheese and a savory soup base, topped with toasted French bread and melted Swiss cheese. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it layers sweet onions, creamy soup, and bread for a casserole that captures the essence of traditional French onion soup in an easy-to-make format.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Onions and Casserole Base
- 2-3 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 3 large sweet onions or 4 medium white or yellow onions
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese (8 oz.)
- 1 can cream of chicken soup, undiluted (or cream of mushroom soup for vegetarian)
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- Pepper to taste
Topping
- 8 slices French bread
Instructions
- Prepare the Onions: Peel and slice the onions carefully, aiming to minimize crying by slicing near a vent or under running water.
- Sauté the Onions: In a sauté pan, melt 2-3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they become translucent and tender with a little browning, which will enhance their sweetness and flavor.
- Layer the Casserole: In a shallow 2-quart casserole dish, spread a layer of the sautéed onions, then sprinkle 2/3 of the shredded Swiss cheese over the onions. Add pepper to taste to season the layers.
- Make the Soup Mixture: In a saucepan, combine the can of cream of chicken soup, 2/3 cup milk, and 1 teaspoon soy sauce. Heat gently while stirring until the mixture is blended and warm but not boiling.
- Combine Layers: Pour the warm soup mixture over the layered onions and cheese in the casserole dish. Stir gently to distribute the soup evenly through the layers.
- Top with Bread: Arrange the 8 slices of French bread evenly on top of the casserole surface. Then place the casserole uncovered in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 15 minutes until the bread is nicely toasted.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Remove the casserole from the oven and press the bread slices slightly into the sauce. Sprinkle the remaining 1/3 of Swiss cheese evenly over the bread slices.
- Final Bake: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese topping is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden, ensuring a rich and cheesy finish.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup to make this vegetarian-friendly.
- Use day-old French bread for better toasting and texture.
- For a richer flavor, caramelize the onions longer to develop deeper sweetness and color.
- Adjust pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, though bread topping is best fresh.
