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A close-up spoonful of the French Onion Beef Casserole, showing the tender beef, rich gravy, and stringy, melted cheese.

French Onion Beef Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Meal

Discover the ultimate comfort food with our French Onion Beef Casserole recipe. Featuring tender beef, deeply caramelized onions, and a bubbly Gruyère cheese topping, this satisfying one-pan meal is perfect for any night of the week.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, French
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 2 lbs Beef Chuck Roast cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 large Yellow Onions thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 4 cups Beef Broth low-sodium
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 1 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper or to taste
  • 1 small Baguette sliced into 1-inch rounds
  • 2 cups Gruyère Cheese shredded
  • 1 cup Provolone Cheese shredded

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch Oven or Large Pot
  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish

Method
 

  1. In a large Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and cook slowly for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  2. While onions cook, heat olive oil in a separate large skillet over medium-high heat. Season beef cubes with salt and pepper, then sear in batches until browned on all sides. Set aside.
  3. Deglaze the skillet with beef broth, scraping the bottom to release browned bits. Pour this into the Dutch oven with the onions. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and the bay leaf.
  4. Return the seared beef to the Dutch oven. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 1 to 1.5 hours, until the beef is tender.
  5. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove the bay leaf. Transfer the beef mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  6. Arrange baguette slices over the beef mixture. Sprinkle generously with shredded Gruyère and Provolone cheeses.
  7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a browner top, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching closely. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Tip 1: For the best flavor, use a combination of Gruyère and Provolone cheese, but feel free to substitute with Swiss or even mozzarella.
Tip 2: Don't rush caramelizing the onions. This step is crucial for developing the deep, rich flavor that defines this dish.
Tip 3: Lightly toasting the baguette slices before topping the casserole will prevent them from getting too soggy.