French Onion Casserole

Name: French Onion Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces egg noodles; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 onion (chopped); 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 1 cup beef broth; 1 cup french onion dip; ⅓ cup french fried onions (finely chopped); 2 tablespoons Panko bread crumbs; 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese; 1 tablespoon melted butter

by HollyAug 18, 2026

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French Onion Casserole is a savory pasta dish that combines tender egg noodles with creamy onion sauce and a crispy breadcrumb topping. Inspired by classic French onion soup, this easy baked casserole is so easy to pull together, and simple to customize.

Holly’s Recipe Highlights: French Onion Casserole

Flavor: Rich and savory with sweet caramelized onions, a creamy sauce, and a cheesy, crispy topping with hints of Parmesan.
Why Make It: This budget-friendly casserole is made with a handful of simple ingredients that pack a lot of flavor. It’s easy to scale to feed a crowd and can easily be turned into a hearty main dish.
Serving Suggestions: Enjoy as an easy meatless main dish, or serve smaller portions alongside pepper steak and roasted vegetables for a hearty side.

Cook Time: 40 Mins Servings: 4 Cooking Method: Oven

Ingredient Notes

beef broth , egg noodles , French onion dip , flour , butter , onion , bread crumbs , parmesan , fried onions , salt and pepper with labels to make French Onion Casserole

Egg Noodles: Wide or medium egg noodles are ideal for holding the creamy sauce. Replace with bow ties, medium shells, rotini, or penne, and cook the pasta until just barely al dente before baking.
Onion: Yellow onion provides a balanced savory-sweet flavor that complements the creamy sauce. Sweet onion can be used for a milder, slightly sweeter casserole.
French Fried Onions: French fried onions provide the casserole’s signature crispy topping and savory onion flavor. Lightly chop them rather than crushing them into fine crumbs to maintain their texture.

Variations

Add Meat: Fold in cooked shredded chicken or browned ground beef for a heartier main dish.
Add Vegetables: Mix in thawed peas, chopped broccoli, mushrooms, or a frozen vegetable blend for extra flavor and texture.
Extra Cheesy: Stir shredded Swiss, Gruyère, mozzarella, or cheddar into the noodle mixture for an even cheesier casserole.

How to Make French Onion Casserole

broth with onions cooking to make French Onion Casserole

sauce in pan to make French Onion Casserole

adding noodles with sauce to casserole dish to make French Onion Casserole

French Onion Casserole baked in a casserole dish

Prepare the noodles al dente, and drain.
Cook the creamy onion sauce (full recipe below).
Combine the sauce and noodles in the casserole dish.
Add the breadcrumb topping and bake until heated through.

Holly’s Best French Onion Casserole Tips

Add Broth Gradually: Add gradually and stir well after each addition to prevent small flour lumps from forming.
Room Temperature Dip: Let refrigerated French onion dip sit at room temperature during prep so it blends smoothly into the warm sauce.
Broil for Color: Broil it briefly at the end for extra color, watching closely because fried onions can brown quickly.

Storing French Onion Casserole

Leftovers: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Reheating: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then microwave or reheat in the oven.
- Microwave individual portions until heated through or warm them in a covered skillet over low heat.
- In the oven, reheat the covered casserole at 350°F until hot. Uncover for the final few minutes to crisp up the topping.
Make-Ahead: Refrigerate the assembled noodle mixture without the topping for up to one day. Add topping before baking and allow extra heating time if baking directly from the refrigerator.