Description
This French Onion Soup Casserole offers a comforting twist on the classic soup by layering caramelized onions, creamy cheese, and savory soup in a baked casserole topped with toasted French bread. It’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 2-3 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 3 large sweet onions or 4 medium white or yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese (8 oz.)
- 1 can cream of chicken soup, undiluted (or cream of mushroom soup for vegetarian option)
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 8 slices French bread
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Slice Onions: Thinly slice the onions carefully, trying not to tear up. The even slices ensure consistent cooking.
- Sauté Onions: Melt the butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until they become translucent with a little browning, which adds a deep flavor.
- Layer Ingredients: In a shallow 2-quart casserole dish, spread a layer of the sautéed onions, followed by about two-thirds of the shredded Swiss cheese. Season with black pepper to taste.
- Prepare Sauce: In a saucepan, gently heat the undiluted cream of chicken soup, milk, and soy sauce together while stirring to blend into a smooth sauce. Pour this mixture evenly over the layered onions and cheese, stirring gently to combine.
- Add Bread and Bake: Arrange the French bread slices evenly on top of the casserole. Bake uncovered in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes, or until the bread is nicely toasted.
- Top with Cheese: Press the toasted bread slices down into the sauce layer. Sprinkle the remaining Swiss cheese over the top.
- Final Bake: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
Notes
- Using cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken makes this dish vegetarian-friendly.
- Sweet onions like Vidalia work best for a naturally sweet, rich flavor.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the French bread with gluten-free bread slices.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven to preserve the texture.
- Adding a sprinkle of fresh thyme or a dash of garlic powder to the onions while sautéing can enhance flavor complexity.
