Weeknight dinners don't get better than this easy 30-minute meal that's done in one pot!
Table of Contents
🗝️ Key takeaways
- Hearty and packed with mouthwatering flavor, this easy recipe uses just one pan, and you don't have to turn on the oven!
- This is a great recipe to whip up when you're low on energy but craving a satisfying dinner. Serve it for family and friends-everyone loves it.
- The noodles cook to perfection right in the skillet, and I'll share my tips to get the best results every time. No mushy pasta here!
French onion ground beef casserole transforms the savory flavor of traditional French onion soup into a quick and filling one-skillet dinner.
The crispy fried onions add a nice crunch, and we always top off this family favorite with extra parmesan cheese-it's mmm-mmm good.
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Variations
- As with most ground beef recipes, you can substitute some or all of the beef with ground turkey, chicken, or pork.
- Feel free to use different noodles if you prefer! Any smaller shape will work. Egg noodles taste great in this recipe, too.
- Many people love the combination of mushrooms and onions. If you do, too, swap one can of the onion soup with cream of mushroom soup!
- Want more gooey cheese? Add a handful of provolone or mozzarella cheese in the last few minutes. You can get fancy with gruyere or Swiss cheese-but don't feel pressured. We keep it simple and delicious here.
- Use my copycat French's fried onions recipe for a homemade touch!
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the onions, ground beef, and dry onion soup mix.
- Pour in the uncooked noodles.
- Carefully stir in the French onion soup and beef broth.
- Cover and simmer until the noodles are al dente. Take off the lid and simmer until creamy. Top with French fried onions and parmesan.
🥫 How to store leftovers
French onion beef casserole tastes best right off the stove when the crunchy onion topping is still crisp.
Refrigerator
Let leftovers come to room temperature but don't leave them out more than an hour or so. Place in an airtight container in the fridge. They'll keep for 3-4 days.
Freeze
This is a great dish to freeze, too.
Portion it into freezer-safe containers, and it'll keep for three months. The fried onions will thaw a little softer, but the flavor will still make your mouth water.
Reheat
I recommend thawing frozen French onion casserole overnight in the refrigerator. From there, you can microwave it in 30-second intervals or warm it over medium heat on the stove.
The only difference after reheating is that the casserole might taste a tad drier. Add a little water, some beef stock, or even a splash of milk, and it'll be as good as new.
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: After the pasta is cooked, let the dish simmer on low without the lid. This will thicken the sauce into a delicious, creamier texture.
- If the meat isn't cooked, brown ground beef in the skillet first. Pour off excess grease, set the beef in a bowl, and continue with the recipe.
- Be sure to use condensed French onion soup, or your meal will be too, well, soupy! Condensed soups have less water in them.
- The pasta naturally tries to float to the top of the stock. Use your spoon to nestle any stubborn noodles back under the liquid to cook properly.
- Don't let the casserole sit for too long overheat, or the noodles will eventually get mushy. Sauces continue to thicken as they cool, so if the cooking time has elapsed, remove it from the heat for a few minutes. It'll thicken up the rest of the way.
👩🍳 FAQs
Whichever you prefer! I like to stick with sweet, white, or yellow onions. Red is the only variety I'd recommend not using in this recipe.
I haven't tested it, so I can't recommend doing so. Rice takes longer to cook than pasta does. The ratios of water to pasta vs. water to rice are also different, so you could end up with a dry dish and crunchy rice.
Nope! Simply tear into that package and dump it in the skillet according to the recipe card directions. Easy, peasy!
Some people like to add sour cream or a few spoonfuls of French onion dip. However, I think that makes the flavor more similar to beef stroganoff than French onion soup. Experiment and find what you like!
📚 Related recipes
- If you're in the mood for chicken, this French onion chicken casserole is packed with flavor and a crispy, buttery breadcrumb topping-so good!
- Cheesy French onion meatballs require just three ingredients and twenty minutes of cooking time for a truly easy, delicious dinner.
- Craving classic comfort food on a chilly night? Crockpot French onion soup delivers a hearty, satisfying flavor with almost no prep.
🍽️ Serve with...
Tangy cucumber salad is easy and delicious. The tangy, crispy side dish is the perfect complement to French onion ground beef casserole.
Homemade Potato Rolls make any comforting dinner feel complete!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Delight is my favorite layered dessert to serve after a classic meal. It's light, creamy, and impossible to resist.
📞 The last word
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars!
📖 Recipe
French Onion Hamburger Casserole
Print Pin Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 8 ounces onions, thinly sliced
- 2 pounds ground beef, 2 cups cooked
- 1 ounce onion soup mix
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups beef stock
- 21 ounces condensed French onion soup, 10.5 ounces each condensed French onion soup
- 12 ounces pasta
- 1 cup crispy fried onions
- ½ cup Parmesan, grated
- black pepper , to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter.
- Add onions and saute until just tender.
- Add the ground beef, dry onions oup mix, and pasta.
- Stir in the beef stock and French onion soup.
- Press the pasta under the broth and bring to a boil.
- Cover and reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
- Remove cover and simmer uncovered until the broth is reduced - you don't want soup.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Top with parmesan cheese and crispy fried onions.
Notes
- After the pasta is cooked, let the dish simmer on low without the lid. This will thicken the sauce into a delicious, creamier texture.
- If the meat isn't cooked, brown ground beef in the skillet first. Pour off excess grease, set the beef in a bowl, and continue with the recipe.
- Be sure to use condensed French onion soup, or your meal will be too, well, soupy! Condensed soups have less water in them.
- The pasta naturally tries to float to the top of the stock. Use your spoon to nestle any stubborn noodles back under the liquid to cook properly.
- Don't let the casserole sit for too long over heat, or the noodles will eventually get mushy. Sauces continue to thicken as they cool, so if the cooking time has elapsed, remove it from the heat for a few minutes. It'll thicken up the rest of the way.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
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