French Onion Soup Casserole

Welcome to another delicious adventure in the kitchen! Today, we’re transforming a classic French dish into a comforting and hearty casserole: French Onion Soup Casserole. This recipe combines the rich, caramelized flavors of French onion soup with the satisfying texture of a casserole. It’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or anytime you crave something warm and savory. Let’s dive into the recipe!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 5 medium Vidalia onions, thinly sliced (about 3 lb.)
• 2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 3 thyme sprigs
• 2 flat-leaf parsley sprigs
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 (16-oz.) baguette, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
• 1/2 cup sherry
• 8 oz. Gruyère cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
• 1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves

Directions

Cook the Onions

1. Melt the Butter: In a Dutch oven over medium-low heat, melt the butter.
2. Caramelize the Onions: Add the sliced onions, salt, pepper, thyme sprigs, parsley sprigs, and bay leaves to the pot. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are golden brown, about 1 hour.

Toast the Baguette Slices

3. Preheat the Oven: Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F.
4. Bake the Baguette Slices: Arrange the baguette slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake until lightly toasted, about 12 minutes. Set aside.

Make the Sauce

5. Remove Herbs: Remove and discard the thyme sprigs, parsley sprigs, and bay leaves from the onion mixture.
6. Add Flour: Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.
7. Add Broth and Sherry: Gradually add the beef broth and sherry, bringing the mixture to a boil over high heat. Continue to boil, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.

Assemble the Casserole

8. Layer the Baguette and Onions: In a 13- x 9-inch baking dish, layer half of the toasted baguette slices. Spoon the onion mixture evenly over the bread. Top with the remaining baguette slices.
9. Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the top. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.

Bake the Casserole

10. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
11. Broil: Increase the oven temperature to broil. Remove the foil and broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden, about 3 minutes.
12. Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves before serving.

Final Thoughts

This French Onion Soup Casserole is a delightful twist on the traditional soup, offering layers of caramelized onions, crispy baguette, and gooey Gruyère cheese. It’s a perfect dish to warm you up on a chilly evening and is sure to impress your family and friends. Enjoy this flavorful and comforting casserole!

Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Calories: 450 kcal
Servings: 6

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Happy cooking! If you try this recipe, let me know how it turns out. I’d love to hear your thoughts and any variations you might have made. Stay tuned for more delicious recipes!