Description
Hearty French onion beef and noodles bring rustic comfort to dinner tables with a savory blend of caramelized onions and tender beef. Creamy noodles and rich flavors promise a satisfying meal that delivers warmth and depth in every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) beef stew meat or chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup shredded Gruyere or Parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup crispy French-fried onions (for garnish)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Liquids and Noodles:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup red wine (optional, for deglazing)
- 1 (10.5 ounces) can condensed French onion soup
- 3 cups beef broth
- 8 ounces wide egg noodles, uncooked
Instructions
- Prepare the protein by seasoning beef with salt and pepper, then sear in a large pot over medium-high heat until each side develops a rich, golden-brown crust, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer the meat to a separate plate and reserve.
- Reduce heat and slowly transform sliced onions in the same pot, stirring periodically to prevent burning, allowing them to develop a deep caramel color and sweet complexity over 20-25 minutes. Near the end of caramelization, introduce minced garlic and cook briefly until aromatic.
- Optionally deglaze the pot with red wine, using a wooden spoon to scrape accumulated flavor fragments from the bottom, allowing liquid to concentrate and reduce by half.
- Reintroduce the seared beef to the pot, then incorporate French onion soup, beef broth, and thyme. Cover and simmer gently, allowing meat to tenderize and flavors to meld for approximately 60-75 minutes.
- Introduce uncooked egg noodles directly into the liquid, ensuring they are mostly submerged. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture.
- Remove from heat and fold in sour cream and grated Gruyere cheese, creating a luxurious, velvety sauce that coats the beef and noodles seamlessly.
- Plate the dish and optionally garnish with crispy fried onions and freshly chopped parsley for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Optimize beef tenderness by choosing well-marbled cuts like chuck roast or short ribs for maximum flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Slow caramelization is crucial for deep, rich onion flavor – resist rushing the process by keeping heat low and stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Swap traditional egg noodles with gluten-free alternatives like zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta for dietary restrictions without compromising overall dish complexity.
- Enhance wine’s depth by selecting robust red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, which complement beef’s rich characteristics and add sophisticated undertones.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg