If you’re craving the deep, savory flavors of French onion soup in a form hearty enough to be dinner, look no further than this French Onion Beef and Pasta Casserole. It combines caramelized onions, ground beef, tender pasta, and melty Swiss cheese in one cozy, bake-and-serve dish. Think of it as a comfort food mash-up that delivers on both flavor and satisfaction.
Perfect for chilly nights, family dinners, or make-ahead meal prepping, this casserole brings the nostalgic richness of slow-cooked onions together with the heartiness of beef and pasta — all topped with bubbly, golden cheese.
Table of Contents
🕒 Prep & Cook Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 6
🛒 Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni work best)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed French onion soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
- Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
🧑🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until just al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than package instructions). Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Brown the Beef & Caramelize the Onion
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced onions and sauté for 10 minutes until softened and golden. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until browned.
Step 3: Build the Sauce
Stir in Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and French onion soup. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Stir in sour cream until well combined.
Step 4: Combine with Pasta
In a large mixing bowl or baking dish, combine the cooked pasta with the beef-onion mixture. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Swiss cheese on top.
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
🌟 Why You’ll Love This Casserole
- Hearty & satisfying – perfect one-dish meal
- Deep flavor – caramelized onions + beef + cheese = magic
- Easy to prep ahead – make it in the morning, bake in the evening
- Crowd-pleaser – comfort food everyone loves
🔁 Variations & Add-Ons
- Add mushrooms for extra umami
- Use Gruyère instead of Swiss for a richer melt
- Swap in ground turkey for a lighter version
- Top with crispy onions before baking for a crunch
❄️ Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Freeze before or after baking — wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F until hot throughout, or microwave individual servings
❓ FAQ – French Onion Beef and Pasta Casserole
Can I use canned fried onions on top?
Absolutely! Add them during the last 5 minutes of baking for extra crunch.
Is it okay to prep this ahead?
Yes! Assemble it fully, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add 5 extra minutes to the baking time if cold.
What’s the best pasta to use?
Short, sturdy shapes like penne, rigatoni, or rotini hold the sauce well and bake evenly.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, just use gluten-free pasta and check that your soup and broth are also gluten-free.
🥄 Nutrition (Per Serving – Approximate)
Calories: 480 kcal
Carbs: 38 g
Fat: 25 g
Protein: 28 g
Sodium: 780 mg
📚 More Comforting Casseroles
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole – The Cozy Cook
Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole – Spend with Pennies
Beef Stroganoff Casserole – The Chunky Chef
French Onion Chicken Bake – The Salty Marshmallow
💬 Join the Comfort Food Conversation!
Made this French Onion Beef and Pasta Casserole? Share your twist in the comments or tag us on Instagram with #FrenchOnionBake. We’d love to see your cozy creations!
Print
Top 5 Irresistible French Onion Beef and Pasta Casserole Recipes
- Total Time: 50
Description
If you’re craving the deep, savory flavors of French onion soup in a form hearty enough to be dinner, look no further than this French Onion Beef and Pasta Casserole.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni work best)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed French onion soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
- Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until just al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than package instructions). Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced onions and sauté for 10 minutes until softened and golden. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until browned.
Stir in Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and French onion soup. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Stir in sour cream until well combined.
In a large mixing bowl or baking dish, combine the cooked pasta with the beef-onion mixture. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese.
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Swiss cheese on top.
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.
Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Add mushrooms for extra umami
- Use Gruyère instead of Swiss for a richer melt
- Swap in ground turkey for a lighter version
- Top with crispy onions before baking for a crunch
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Fat: 25 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Protein: 28 g
Keywords: French Onion Beef Pasta
