This easy 8-ingredient French Onion Beef Casserole is comforting, full of savory, melty flavor and the ultimate one-pot meal for busy weeknights or a cozy dinner.
Our family loves a one-pan meal, or should I say I really love a one-pan meal (I’m cooking, after all!) — they’re no-fuss, minimal clean-up and a great way to serve an easy meal. This comforting one-pan French Onion Casserole with ground beef is all of those things, layering the classic, rich and savory flavor of French onion soup with seasoned ground beef and rice in a super satisfying all-in-one dinner idea that you can scoop up with a fork. With minimal prep and effort, it’s ideal for busy weeknights or feeding a group.
Perfectly jammy and sweet caramelized onions, seasoned ground beef and tender rice get baked together with savory beef broth then topped with melty Gruyère for that signature French onion flavor everyone craves. This French Onion Casserole is rich and hearty, but super simple to make. Hitting every flavor and texture note, this one-pan dinner is truly a one-pan wonder, and one to add to your recipe rotation.
If you like the flavors in this recipe, be sure to try some of our other favorite dinner recipes, like this easy Homemade French Onion Dip and this Easy French Onion Soup for another cozy meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pan Meal with Minimal Cleanup: With a simple method, everything comes together in just one dish for convenience and an easy clean-up.
- Deep French Onion Flavor: Slow and slow caramelized onions give the casserole that signature deep, savory French onion flavor you crave.
- Extra Flavorful Rice: The rice cooks right in the dish, soaking up all the broth and seasoning, making it super savory and flavorful.
- Melty Cheesy Topping: The gooey gruyere on top makes the casserole extra rich and indulgent. Try a cheddar-mozzarella blend if you aren’t a gruyere fan.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: Tender and juicy, use 80/20 or 90/10 for the best flavor.
- White Rice: Long grain works well, use your favorite brand.
- Onion: For aromatic flavor.
- Beef Broth: Adds deep, savory flavor.
- Butter: For richness.
- Salt: To taste.
- Onion Powder: For extra seasoning.
- Dried Thyme: Brings a slightly earthy flavor.
- Salt & Pepper: Adjust and taste as you go.
How To Make French Onion Beef Casserole
1. Preheat oven to 350°. While the oven is heating start by adding a stick of butter to an oven safe pan and then add in your sliced onions. Cook them until they are soft and browning. Remove and add in your ground beef, cooking until brown. Add the onions back in and mix well. Sprinkle on the uncooked rice evenly over top of the ground beef. Mix the spices with the beef broth and pour that over top.
2. Cover the pan and bake for 30 minutes. Take out of the oven and add shredded Gruyère. If you cannot find that cheese, add a mixture of white cheddar and mozzarella on top. Cover and bake for another five minutes.
3. Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Cook Onions Low and Slow: until they’re truly soft and browning for the best French onion flavor.
- Use an Oven-Safe Skillet: so you can go from stovetop to oven in the same pan.
- Keep Pan Covered: while the rice cooks so it steams properly and absorbs the broth.
- Swap in Another Cheese: white cheddar and mozzarella are a great substitute if Gruyère isn’t available. They still melt beautifully.
Variations & Substitutions
- Add Sliced Mushrooms: Toss them in with the onions for extra umami flavor
- Try Another Ground Meat: Try ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef for a slightly lighter version.
- Stir in a Splash of Worcestershire: Mixing in a splash gives the casserole a deeper, savory flavor.
- Add a Crispy Topping: Top the casserole with crispy fried onions with the melty cheese for extra crunch and flavor.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. To reheat, warm in the microwave or in a 350° oven until hot and melty.
Leftovers freeze well in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight then reheat in the oven at 350° until warmed through.
This is a great make-ahead casserole. Prep it up to 24 hours in advance and store in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Alternatively, you can also fully cook it the day before, then reheat in the oven when you’re ready to serve.
FAQs
Yes, brown rice is hearty and chewy, and a great option. You might just need to cook the casserole a bit longer or add an extra splash of liquid.
If you aren’t a Gruyère fan or don’t have it available, mozzarella or Swiss are nice, melty and flavorful optinos.
Yes! Brown and drain the meat separately, then add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on the low setting for about 4 hours. Add the cheese to melt right at the end of the cook-time.
Definitely! Mushrooms, peas, carrots or potatoes would be delicious additions.
More Easy Casserole Recipes
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Ham and Cheddar Croissant Casserole
- Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole
- Layered Broccoli Casserole
French Onion Beef Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°. While the oven is heating start by adding a stick of butter to an oven safe pan and then add in your sliced onions. Cook them until they are soft and browning. Remove and add in your ground beef, cooking until brown. Add the onions back in and mix well. Sprinkle on the uncooked rice evenly over top of the ground beef. Mix the spices with the beef broth and pour that over top.
- Cover the pan and bake for 30 minutes. Take out of the oven and add shredded Gruyère. If you cannot find that cheese, add a mixture of white cheddar and mozzarella on top. Cover and bake for another five minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. To reheat, warm in the microwave or in a 350° oven until hot and melty.
- Leftovers freeze well in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight then reheat in the oven at 350° until warmed through.
- You can prep this up to 24 hours in advance and store in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Alternatively, you can also fully cook it the day before, then reheat in the oven when you’re ready to serve.