
If you love comfort food with big, bold flavors, this French Onion Beef and Noodles is about to be your new favorite dish. Imagine tender, slow-simmered beef, sweet caramelized onions, and a creamy Gruyère sauce coating every bite of hearty egg noodles. It’s rich, satisfying, and incredibly easy to make, making it perfect for weeknights or cozy weekends.
Now, you might be wondering—why French onion? Well, the inspiration comes straight from French Onion Soup, a classic dish dating back to the 18th century. Originally a poor man’s meal, this soup became famous for its deeply caramelized onions, rich broth, and gooey melted cheese. And honestly, who wouldn’t want those flavors wrapped up in a creamy, beefy pasta dish?
Best of all, this one-pot wonder takes minimal effort while delivering maximum flavor. You can let the beef simmer to tender perfection while the onions work their magic. So, if you’re craving a hearty, comforting meal, this is the ultimate go-to recipe. Grab a fork—it’s time to dig in!

Recipe Yield: 6 servings
INGREDIENTS
2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
16 oz egg noodles, cooked and drained
2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups beef broth (low-sodium)
1 cup sour cream
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp butter
1 ½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
¾ tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
1 tsp dried thyme
Fresh parsley, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Sear the beef: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the beef in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, and sear until browned on all sides (about 3-4 minutes per side). Remove and repeat with the remaining beef, adding another 1 tbsp olive oil as needed. Set aside.
2. Caramelize the onions: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add 3 tbsp butter and toss in the sliced onions. Stir occasionally and cook for 25–30 minutes, until deeply golden and soft. Be patient—this is where the magic happens!
3. Build the sauce: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and thyme, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the seared beef back in, cover, and simmer on low for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fork-tender.
4. Thicken and make it creamy: Remove the lid and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to slightly reduce the sauce. Stir in sour cream until smooth, followed by shredded Gruyère cheese, stirring gently until melted and creamy.
5. Combine with noodles: Add the cooked egg noodles to the skillet, tossing until fully coated in the rich, cheesy sauce. If needed, add an extra splash of broth to loosen the sauce.
6. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately. Every bite is loaded with melty cheese, tender beef, and sweet caramelized onions!
Helpful Tips to Perfect This Recipe
- Take your time caramelizing the onions – The longer they cook, the sweeter and more flavorful they get. This is the soul of the dish!
- Simmer for the best beef texture – Letting the beef stew meat cook low and slow for at least an hour makes it melt-in-your-mouth tender.
- Melt the cheese smoothly – Keep the heat low when stirring in the cheese to prevent separation or graininess.
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