Easy French Onion Ground Beef Casserole (A 30-Minute Dinner!)

This is my ultimate weeknight comfort food creation, born from a love of simple ground beef recipes and a craving for something a little more special. It’s a brilliant shortcut to a gourmet-tasting meal, using a few smart pantry staples to build a luscious, savory sauce that perfectly coats tender egg noodles and savory ground beef.

I promise you, this is the kind of one-dish wonder that the whole family will get excited about. The casserole is baked just long enough to melt the cheddar into a gooey, golden blanket and toast the crispy fried onions on top, adding the perfect crunchy finish to every creamy, cheesy bite. It’s pure, unadulterated comfort in a dish.

Get ready to discover your new go-to ground beef casserole—a meal that delivers big on flavor without spending all evening in the kitchen.

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Why This Casserole is a Weeknight Lifesaver

You are going to be so impressed by how much incredible flavor is packed into this lightning-fast meal. Here’s why you’ll love it:

• Ready in 30 Minutes: This is the ultimate fast and comforting meal. From start to finish, you can have this hot, bubbly casserole on the table in half an hour.
• French Onion Flavor, Simplified: Get all the rich, savory, and beloved taste of French onion soup in an easy, creamy casserole form without caramelizing onions for an hour.
• A True One-Dish Wonder: With pasta, protein, and a creamy sauce all baked together, this is a complete, satisfying meal with minimal cleanup.
• Made with Easy Pantry Staples: This recipe cleverly uses simple, accessible ingredients like onion soup mix and cream of mushroom soup to create a show-stopping sauce.
• The Perfect Texture Combination: Every bite is a delightful mix of tender noodles, savory beef, a luscious cream sauce, melted cheese, and that irresistible crispy onion topping.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Shopping List for This Cozy Casserole

This recipe relies on a handful of smart pantry staples to create its incredible, savory flavor.

→ For the Casserole Base

• 10 ounces egg noodles → The classic noodle for a comforting casserole.
• 1 pound lean ground beef → Using lean beef means less grease to drain.
• 1 large yellow onion, diced → Provides the fresh onion flavor foundation.
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper → For a touch of warmth.

→ For the Creamy French Onion Sauce

• 1 ounce Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion soup mix (one pouch) → The secret weapon for instant, deep onion flavor.
• 21 ounces Cream of Mushroom Soup (2 cans) → Adds richness, creaminess, and an extra layer of savory flavor.

→ For the Toppings

• 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese → Sharp cheddar provides the best flavor.
• ½ cup French’s Fried Onions → The essential crunchy, savory topping!

Let’s Get Cooking! Your 30-Minute Casserole Guide

This meal comes together in a few quick and easy steps. It’s all about simple multitasking!

Part 1: Cook the Noodles & Beef

1. Prep the Oven and Cook Noodles: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the egg noodles until al dente, usually about 8 minutes.
2. Brown the Beef and Onion: While the noodles are cooking, add the ground beef and diced onion to a large skillet. Cook over medium heat, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon, until the meat is browned and the onion is soft. Season with black pepper and drain off any excess grease.

Part 2: Assemble the Casserole

3. Create the Creamy Sauce: To the skillet with the cooked beef, add the sour cream, the entire pouch of onion soup mix, and the two cans of cream of mushroom soup. Stir everything together until it’s well combined and creamy.
4. Combine with Noodles: Drain the al dente egg noodles and pour them into your prepared casserole dish. Pour the creamy beef mixture directly over the noodles and toss everything together until the noodles are fully coated.

Part 3: Top and Bake to Bubbly Perfection

5. Add the Toppings: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Finish by scattering the French’s fried onions all over the cheese.
6. Bake and Serve: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges are hot and bubbly. Let it rest for a minute before serving warm.

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French Onion Ground Beef Casserole

This creamy, flavorful French Onion Ground Beef Casserole is the ultimate 30-minute comfort food dinner! Made with egg noodles, a savory beef mixture, and topped with melted cheese and crispy fried onions, it’s a guaranteed family favorite.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 692

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 10 ounces egg noodles
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 ounce Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion (one pouch)
• 16 ounces sour cream
• 21 ounces Cream of Mushroom Soup (2 cans) or Cream of Celery
• 8 ounces cheddar, shredded
• 1/2 cup French’s Fried Onions

Equipment

• Oven
• Large Stock Pot
• Large Skillet
• 9 x 13 Casserole Dish
• Wooden Spoon

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. and grease a 9×13 casserole dish.
2. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the egg noodles until al dente, about 8 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until the beef is browned. Season with pepper and drain any excess grease.
4. To the skillet, add the sour cream, onion soup mix, and cream of mushroom soup. Stir until everything is combined into a creamy sauce.
5. Drain the cooked egg noodles and add them to the greased casserole dish. Pour the creamy beef mixture over the noodles and toss to combine.
6. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
7. Top with the fried onions and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Enjoy warm!

Notes

Noodle Tip: Cook the egg noodles to al dente (with a slight bite) as they will continue to cook in the oven. This prevents them from becoming mushy.

Make-Ahead: The casserole can be assembled (without the fried onion topping) up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then top with onions and add 10-15 minutes to the bake time.

WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Casserole Success

These simple pointers will help you make this comforting dish perfectly every time.

1. Cook Noodles to Al Dente. This is crucial! The noodles will continue to cook in the oven as they absorb the sauce, so you must undercook them slightly during the boiling stage. Cooking them to al dente (with a firm bite) will prevent a mushy final casserole.
2. Grate Your Own Cheese. For the best, smoothest, gooiest melt, buy a block of sharp cheddar and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses are coated with anti-caking agents that can make the cheese topping slightly grainy.
3. Don’t Skip the French’s Fried Onions. This topping is not just a garnish; it’s essential to the “French Onion” experience. It provides that classic toasty onion flavor and, more importantly, a fantastic crunchy texture that contrasts beautifully with the creamy casserole.
4. Use Lean Ground Beef. Using a lean ground beef (like 90/10 or 93/7) means there will be very little excess grease to drain off, making the process quicker and the final dish less heavy.
5. Let it Rest for a Minute. I know it’s tempting to dive in the second it comes out of the oven, but letting the casserole rest for just 3-5 minutes allows the creamy sauce to set up slightly, making it easier to serve.

Keep It Fresh! Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

This casserole is fantastic for making ahead or enjoying as leftovers.

• Make-Ahead: You can fully assemble the casserole (without the fried onion topping) up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, add the fried onions and you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
• Refrigerator: Store any cooled leftovers tightly covered or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave. For a larger amount, you can reheat it in a 350°F oven, covered with foil, until warmed through.

FAQs: Your Casserole Questions

Can I make this casserole with a different kind of pasta?

Yes, absolutely. While wide egg noodles are classic for this type of casserole, other medium pasta shapes like rotini, penne, or medium shells would also work wonderfully to catch the creamy sauce.

Can I substitute the cream of mushroom soup?

Of course. As the recipe notes, Cream of Celery is a great substitute. Cream of Chicken would also work well if that’s what you have on hand. Each will give a slightly different savory background flavor.

Can I freeze this casserole?

Yes, this casserole freezes fairly well. You can freeze it baked or unbaked. For best results, leave off the fried onion topping until you are ready to bake or reheat, as they can become soggy after freezing and thawing.

What should I serve with this casserole?

This is a very rich and hearty dish, so it pairs best with something simple and fresh. A crisp green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, steamed green beans, or roasted broccoli are all excellent choices to round out the meal.

Final Thoughts: Comfort in a Dish

There’s a special kind of magic in a one-dish meal that can bring so much comfort and flavor to the dinner table with so little effort. This French Onion Ground Beef Casserole is a true weeknight champion, a perfect blend of nostalgic flavors and modern convenience. It’s a dish that’s guaranteed to earn a permanent spot in your family’s comfort food rotation. Enjoy!