French Onion Beef and Pasta Casserole Recipe
This French Onion Beef and Pasta Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish combining caramelized onions, savory ground beef, and tender pasta baked with melted Swiss and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a cozy weeknight meal, it delivers rich flavor with a classic French onion twist in a convenient casserole format.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups beef broth
- 8 ounces pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or fried French onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Caramelize Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they become golden brown and caramelized, about 20 minutes, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the caramelized onions. Cook until the beef is thoroughly browned, breaking it up with a spoon for an even texture.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Cook for about one minute until the garlic becomes fragrant, enhancing the flavor.
- Simmer Mixture: Pour in the Worcestershire sauce and beef broth, stirring to combine. Bring this mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 5 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, prepare the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large casserole dish, mix the cooked pasta with the beef and onion mixture thoroughly. Stir in the shredded Swiss cheese evenly.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole to create a delicious cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or fried French onions for an added burst of flavor and crunch before serving.
Notes
- Be sure to caramelize onions slowly over medium heat to develop their full sweetness and depth.
- You can substitute beef broth with low sodium broth for a healthier option.
- For extra topping crunch, use fried French onions as a garnish instead of parsley.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
Keywords: French onion casserole, beef pasta bake, caramelized onion casserole, one dish meal, comfort food
