Introduction

This Homemade French Onion Beef Casserole is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. It combines tender egg noodles, savory ground beef, and a creamy mushroom-onion sauce topped with crispy fried onions. Easy to prepare and satisfying to eat, it’s sure to become a family favorite.

A close-up of a white ceramic baking dish filled with a creamy noodle casserole. The bottom layer is light golden noodles mixed with browned ground meat, covered by a thick, creamy, pale sauce. On top, there is a layer of crispy, thin, light brown fried onions scattered with small green parsley bits. A woman's hand holding a wooden spoon lifts a scoop of the casserole, showing the creamy texture mixed with meat, noodles, and crispy onions. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

10 oz dried egg noodles
1 lb lean ground beef
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 cans (10.75 oz each) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 jar (15 oz) Lay’s French Onion Dip
1/2 cup French’s crispy fried onions
Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray to prevent sticking during baking.
Step 2: In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the dried egg noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 3: While the noodles cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink. Season with salt and black pepper. Drain excess grease thoroughly.
Step 4: Reduce the heat to low. Add the cream of mushroom soup and French Onion Dip to the beef in the skillet. Stir until well combined. Gently fold in the cooked noodles, coating them evenly without breaking.
Step 5: Transfer the beef and noodle mixture to the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the crispy fried onions over the top.
Step 6: Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes, or until heated through and the fried onions are golden brown.
Step 7: Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. If desired, garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, sauté some sliced onions with the ground beef before adding the soup and dip.
Use low-fat or turkey ground beef to reduce calories without sacrificing taste.
Substitute the cream of mushroom soup with cream of celery or cream of chicken soup for a different flavor profile.
For a crunchy topping, mix the fried onions with shredded cheese before sprinkling on top.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through or microwave individual portions until hot. The crispy topping may lose some crunch after reheating but will still add great texture and flavor.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of a white ceramic baking dish filled with a layered casserole. The bottom layer consists of a creamy, pale sauce mixed with browned ground meat chunks, topped with curly, pale yellow egg noodles. Scattered thin, crispy golden-brown fried onions cover the top layer, adding texture, along with small pieces of fresh green parsley sprinkled for color. A wooden spoon held by a woman's hand scoops out a large portion of the casserole from the dish, revealing the mix of creamy, meaty, and crispy ingredients inside. The dish sits on a white marbled textured surface, creating a clean and bright background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it uncovered for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.

Can I freeze the French Onion Beef Casserole?

This casserole can be frozen before baking. Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking. Note that the fried onions topping is best added fresh after baking or right before serving.

Homemade French Onion Beef Casserole Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 127 reviews

This Homemade French Onion Beef Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish featuring tender egg noodles, savory browned ground beef, and a rich creamy sauce made from cream of mushroom soup and French onion dip. Topped with crispy fried onions and fresh parsley, this casserole is baked to perfection for a golden, crunchy finish. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, it combines classic flavors into an easy-to-make and satisfying meal.

Author: Kai
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Beef, Casseroles, Comfort Food
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the casserole base:

10 oz dried egg noodles
1 lb lean ground beef
Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the creamy mixture:

2 cans (10.75 oz each) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 jar (15 oz) Lay’s French Onion Dip

For the topping and garnish:

1/2 cup French’s crispy fried onions
Chopped fresh parsley, optional

Instructions

Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray to prevent the casserole from sticking during baking.
Cook the Egg Noodles: In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the dried egg noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the noodles and set aside.
Brown the Ground Beef: While the noodles cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook, crumbling it with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Drain any excess grease thoroughly to avoid a greasy casserole.
Combine Beef, Sauce, and Noodles: Reduce heat to low. Add both cans of condensed cream of mushroom soup and the jar of Lay’s French Onion Dip to the browned beef in the skillet. Stir until well combined. Gently fold the cooked egg noodles into the beef and sauce mixture, ensuring noodles are evenly coated without breaking.
Assemble and Bake the Casserole: Pour the beef and noodle mixture into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the crispy fried onions over the top. Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes, until the casserole is heated through and the onions are golden brown.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. Optionally sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for color and freshness. Serve warm.

Notes

Make sure to drain excess grease from the browned beef to avoid a greasy casserole.
If fresh parsley is unavailable, fresh chives or green onions can add a similar fresh flavor.
This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to baking time if baking cold.
For a lower-fat option, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and low-fat variants of soup and dip.
You can substitute the egg noodles with other pasta such as elbow macaroni or rotini if preferred.

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