Description
Hearty French onion beef and noodles bring comfort straight from traditional French kitchens to dinner tables. Caramelized onions, tender beef, and silky noodles combine into a rich, savory meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450 g) beef stew meat or sirloin, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz (340 g) egg noodles
- 4 cups (1 liter) beef broth
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cooking and Topping Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese (optional, for topping)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the beef by coating it with seasoned flour mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly covered for a flavorful exterior.
- Heat a large skillet and create a beautiful golden-brown sear on the beef pieces, developing rich caramelized edges that will enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Transfer the seared beef to a temporary plate, reserving the delicious pan drippings for the next stage of cooking.
- Gently transform the onions in the same pan, slowly coaxing out their natural sweetness through patient, low-heat caramelization until they turn a deep golden brown.
- Introduce minced garlic to the caramelized onions, allowing its aromatic essence to bloom and intensify the dish’s depth.
- Deglaze the pan with robust beef broth, incorporating Worcestershire sauce and dried thyme to create a complex, savory liquid base.
- Reintroduce the seared beef into the fragrant sauce, allowing the meat to simmer and become incredibly tender while absorbing the surrounding flavors.
- Add egg noodles directly into the simmering mixture, letting them cook and absorb the rich, seasoned liquid until perfectly al dente.
- Optional: Sprinkle a layer of Gruyere or Swiss cheese across the top, creating a luxurious melted finish that adds creamy richness.
- Finish the dish with a scattering of fresh parsley, providing a bright, fresh counterpoint to the deep, hearty flavors.
Notes
- Choose lean beef cuts like chuck or sirloin for tenderness and reduced fat content.
- Pat beef dry before flouring to ensure a crisp, golden-brown sear that locks in rich flavors.
- Slice onions uniformly to guarantee even caramelization and consistent sweetness throughout the dish.
- Low and slow caramelization develops deep, complex onion flavors that elevate the entire recipe.
- Use fresh thyme instead of dried for a more vibrant and aromatic herb profile.
- Reserve some beef broth to adjust sauce consistency if needed during cooking.
- For gluten-free adaptation, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or alternative gluten-free flour blend.
- Add mushrooms for extra umami and depth of flavor during the caramelization stage.
- Opt for whole wheat egg noodles to increase nutritional value and fiber content.
- Lactose-free option: substitute Gruyere with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternative.
- Allow beef to rest after searing to retain moisture and ensure maximum tenderness.
- Control heat carefully during searing to prevent burning and maintain meat’s juiciness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg