IRRESISTIBLE FRENCH ONION BEEF CASSEROLE

Picture this: tender ground beef mingling with caramelized onions in a rich, savory gravy, all topped with a bubbly, golden-brown crust of toasted bread. This French Onion Beef Casserole isn’t just dinner; it’s a comforting hug in a dish that even the pickiest eaters will adore, and I promise you’ll be coming back for seconds (and thirds!).

Ingredients

For the Beef and Onion Mixture:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1.5 pounds ground beef
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

For the Topping:

• 6 slices of your favorite bread (French, sourdough, or Italian work great), cubed
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 cup shredded Gruyere cheese (or Swiss or mozzarella)

Let’s Make Some Magic: Why This Casserole Rocks

Okay, friend, let’s talk about why this French Onion Beef Casserole is about to become a staple in your rotation of Quick Beef Casserole Recipes. First off, it’s unbelievably flavorful. The combination of sweet caramelized onions and savory beef is classic for a reason. Second, it’s one of those Cheap Comfort Meals that feels like a restaurant-quality dish but won’t break the bank. And finally, it’s totally customizable! Don’t have Gruyere? No problem! Use Swiss or mozzarella. Want to add some veggies? Throw in some mushrooms or carrots. It’s all good!

The Star of the Show: Caramelizing Those Onions

Don’t be intimidated by the idea of caramelizing onions. It just takes a little patience! This is the key to that signature French onion flavor. Low and slow is the name of the game. We want them soft, sweet, and golden brown, not burnt and bitter. Trust me, the extra time is worth it!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Get Started: Prep Your Ingredients

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
3. Cube the bread for the topping and set aside.
4. Grate the cheese.

Making the Beef and Onion Base

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes, or until they are softened and caramelized. Reduce the heat if they start to brown too quickly.
3. Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned, draining off any excess grease.
4. Stir in the garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. This will help thicken the sauce.
6. Gradually pour in the beef broth, stirring to avoid lumps.
7. Add the Worcestershire sauce and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
8. Pour the beef and onion mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Creating the Crispy Topping

1. In a medium bowl, toss the cubed bread with the melted butter until evenly coated.
2. Sprinkle the buttered bread cubes over the beef and onion mixture in the baking dish.
3. Top with the shredded Gruyere cheese.

Baking to Golden Perfection

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbly.
2. Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and prevents you from burning your tongue!

Ingredient Swaps and Variations

One of the beautiful things about casseroles is how adaptable they are. Let’s explore some easy substitutions and additions to make this French Onion Beef Casserole truly your own!

• Cheese: As mentioned earlier, Gruyere is traditional, but Swiss, mozzarella, provolone, or even a sharp cheddar will work beautifully.
• Bread: Use whatever bread you have on hand! Stale bread is actually ideal for this recipe. You can even use croutons in a pinch.
• Vegetables: Add sliced mushrooms, carrots, celery, or bell peppers to the beef and onion mixture for extra nutrients and flavor.
• Wine: For a richer, more complex flavor, add 1/2 cup of dry red wine to the beef and onion mixture along with the beef broth. Let it simmer for a few minutes to cook off the alcohol.
• Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture for a little kick.

Serving Suggestions

This French Onion Beef Casserole is a complete meal in itself, but if you want to round it out, here are a few ideas:

• A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing
• Steamed green beans or broccoli
• Garlic bread (because you can never have too much bread!)

Making It Ahead & Storing Leftovers

This casserole is a great make-ahead dish! You can assemble it completely (including the topping) and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

More Ground Beef Casserole Inspiration

If you’re looking for more Dinner Ideas Casserole Ground Beef, you’re in luck! There are so many amazing variations to explore. For another cheesy delight, you might enjoy a Cheesy Hamburger Casserole. If you’re looking for something with a bit more substance, try Hamburger Rice Casserole. Also, if you are looking for something that is not a casserole, you might enjoy Beef Pasta or even Cheesy Ground Beef Melt! These are all Easy Recipes For Big Families or even Ground Beef And Dumplings, and they are guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters.

Perfect for Weeknight Dinners: Quick Beef Casserole Recipes

Let’s be honest, we all have those nights where we’re scrambling for dinner ideas. That’s where Quick Beef Casserole Recipes come to the rescue. This French Onion Beef Casserole is designed to be relatively quick to prepare, especially if you prep some of the ingredients ahead of time. But if you’re really short on time, consider using pre-caramelized onions (you can find them in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores). It won’t have quite the same depth of flavor, but it will definitely save you some time!

Also, if you love french onion, you might enjoy French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup!

Final Thoughts & Enjoying Your Casserole

So there you have it – a truly irresistible French Onion Beef Casserole that’s guaranteed to become a family favorite. Remember, cooking should be fun and relaxing. Don’t stress about making it perfect. Just enjoy the process and the delicious results! Grab a spoon, gather your loved ones, and dig in!

Irresistible French Onion Beef Casserole

Alice Yowell

This French Onion Beef Casserole features tender ground beef and caramelized onions in a rich, savory gravy, topped with a golden-brown crust of toasted bread and Gruyere cheese. It’s a comforting and customizable dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners and sure to become a family favorite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine French-American

Servings 6

Calories 550 kcal

Equipment

• Large skillet
• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Oven

Ingredients

  

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1.5 pounds ground beef
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 6 slices bread French, sourdough, or Italian
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• ½ cup shredded Gruyere cheese

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
• Cube the bread for the topping and set aside.
• Grate the cheese and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes, or until they are softened and caramelized. Reduce the heat if they start to brown too quickly.
• Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned, draining off any excess grease.
• Stir in the garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Gradually pour in the beef broth, stirring to avoid lumps.
• Add the Worcestershire sauce and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
• Pour the beef and onion mixture into the prepared baking dish.
• In a medium bowl, toss the cubed bread with the melted butter until evenly coated.
• Sprinkle the buttered bread cubes over the beef and onion mixture in the baking dish.
• Top with the shredded Gruyere cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbly.
• Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For variations, use Swiss, mozzarella, provolone, or sharp cheddar cheese instead of Gruyere. Stale bread or croutons can be used for the topping. Add sliced mushrooms, carrots, celery, or bell peppers to the beef and onion mixture for extra flavor and nutrients. For a richer flavor, add 1/2 cup of dry red wine to the beef mixture with the broth. For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. The casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.