There’s just something so heartwarming about a bowl filled with tender beef, creamy broth, and the comforting bite of noodles. This Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe delivers all that coziness with a rich, savory depth that’ll have you coming back for seconds — trust me, it’s worth the little bit of effort!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can’t say enough about how this soup feels like a warm hug in a bowl. It’s creamy but not heavy, packed with tender beef and fresh veggies, and those egg noodles? They soak up all that amazing broth just right. Every time I make it, it’s a happy, filling meal that feels homemade in the best way.
- Rich and Creamy Comfort: The velvety broth gives richness without overwhelming, balancing creaminess with savory beef flavor.
- Perfectly Tender Beef: Slow oven-baking melts the beef into tender, flavorful morsels you won’t have to chew forever.
- Simple Yet Flavor-Packed: Easy ingredients layered with spices and sauces bring deep comfort with minimal fuss.
- Customizable and Adaptable: Whether you want extra veggies, different noodles, or less creamy, you can make it truly yours.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays its part in creating that signature richness and texture. I always recommend fresh veggies to brighten the soup’s depth, and the combination of Worcestershire and soy sauce adds umami that really lifts the whole thing.
- Top sirloin steak: This cut gets beautifully tender without being too fatty, perfect for slow cooking in soup.
- Salt & pepper: Classic seasoning to bring out the beef’s natural flavors.
- Vegetable oil & unsalted butter: A tasty fat combo that helps in searing the meat and sautéing veggies with richness.
- Egg noodles: Their chewiness holds up well in the soup without getting mushy.
- Onion, carrots, celery: The holy trinity of soup veggies—adds sweetness, aroma, and texture.
- Garlic & red pepper flakes: Garlic gives savory depth; red pepper flakes add a hint of warmth without overwhelming.
- Flour: Used to make a roux that thickens the soup to creamy perfection.
- Water & beef base: The base of your broth—using water plus beef bouillon means you control the salt and intensity.
- Worcestershire & soy sauce: Secret umami bombs that deepen flavor complexity.
- Dijon mustard & dried herbs: Adds that subtle tang and herby aroma that brightens every spoonful.
- Half and half: Perfect for that creamy texture without heaviness—you can swap evaporated milk if you like.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the creamy broth gently without lumps.
- Fire roasted diced tomatoes: Adds a balanced sweet and smoky note that plays beautifully with beef.
- Frozen petite peas: Tossed in last minute for a bright pop of color and freshness.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this soup depending on what I have on hand or the season. Whether it's swapping egg noodles for whole wheat pasta or adding extra veggies, you can really make this Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe your own.
- Vegetarian variation: I’ve tried replacing beef with mushrooms and vegetable broth for a hearty, creamy mushroom noodle soup that’s surprisingly satisfying.
- Spice it up: For a little heat, I sometimes add a pinch more red pepper flakes or a dash of smoked paprika.
- Make it-freezer friendly: Leave the noodles out when freezing, and cook fresh ones when reheating to keep them tender and not mushy.
- Veggie swaps: Try zucchini or green beans instead of peas, or add kale at the end for a nutrient boost.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe
Step 1: Searing the Beef for Deep Flavor
First things first—the beef. Toss it with salt and pepper right on your cutting board, so each piece is seasoned evenly. Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in your Dutch oven until it’s smoking hot, then add half the beef pieces. Let them sear undisturbed until deeply golden on all sides, about 4 minutes total. This browning adds the foundational flavor. Remove those browned bits and repeat with the rest, keeping the delicious drippings in the pot—it’s pure gold.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
Into those drippings, melt butter with olive oil and add your chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook on medium-high heat until the onions are translucent and everything smells amazing—about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes last so the garlic doesn’t burn, and sauté just 30 seconds more to release that beautiful aroma.
Step 3: Making the Roux & Building the Broth
Turn the heat down to medium and sprinkle in the flour. Stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes, until it smells nutty and the raw flour scent disappears. This step thickens your soup later. Then, gradually whisk in water while scraping the bottom of the pan to lift all those browned bits. Add your beef base, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and dried herbs. Give it a good stir and nestle your seared beef back into the pot.
Step 4: Bake Low and Slow
Cover your pot and pop it into a 325°F oven. Let it bake for about 90 minutes, or until the beef is fall-apart tender. This slow cooking makes the beef melt-in-your-mouth delicious, which is worth the wait! About 20 minutes before the beef’s done, boil your noodles separately—this keeps them perfectly al dente and prevents them from getting mushy in the soup.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
Once your beef is tender, bring the pot back to the stove and whisk together the half and half and cornstarch. Stir that creamy mixture into your soup, add the fire roasted tomatoes, and simmer gently until thickened—about 3 minutes. Stir in those frozen peas right at the end so they stay tender and vibrant. Finally, mix in your noodles, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and your soup is ready to serve.
Top Tip
I’ve made this soup countless times, and I’ve learned a few tricks that make it foolproof every time. The sear on the beef builds the best base flavor, and cooking noodles separately really saves the texture. These little things make a big difference in turning a simple beef soup into something amazingly creamy and rich.
- Don’t skip searing: It seals in juices and creates flavor-packed browned bits on the pan bottom.
- Make the roux carefully: Stir the flour until the raw taste is gone to avoid a floury soup.
- Cook noodles separately: Keeps noodles firm and prevents them from soaking up too much broth.
- Simmer gently after adding half and half: Prevents curdling and keeps your soup perfectly creamy.
How to Serve Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle on some fresh parsley for a pop of color and subtle herbal brightness. A little cracked black pepper on top just before serving adds a nice final touch. Sometimes I toss in a few chopped green onions if I want a sharper bite.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs wonderfully with a crisp garden salad and warm dinner rolls or crusty bread. I love dipping bread into that creamy broth—it’s absolutely satisfying and the perfect cozy combo.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this in rustic bread bowls—everyone loves tearing into that crusty bread to scoop up the soup. Another fun idea is layering the soup in clear glass mugs to show off the colorful veggies, beef, and creamy broth layers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After cooling, I store this soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight! Just be sure to keep the noodles separate if you added them earlier so they don’t get mushy.
Freezing
This soup freezes beautifully—although I recommend freezing it without the noodles. Freeze in portioned containers then thaw in the fridge overnight. When reheating, cook fresh noodles to add back in for the best texture.
Reheating
I gently reheat leftovers on the stove over low heat, stirring often to prevent scorching. If you froze the soup without noodles, boil fresh noodles separately and stir them in just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While top sirloin works great for tenderness and flavor, you can also use chuck roast or stew meat. Just adjust cooking times to ensure the meat becomes tender.
Yes! Substitute the half and half with full-fat coconut milk or a creamy plant-based milk like cashew milk. Just be sure to whisk it with cornstarch as usual to thicken, and simmer gently to avoid separating.
Definitely! After searing the beef and sautéing the veggies on the stove, transfer everything to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours until the beef is tender, then add the half and half mixture, simmer on low for 20 minutes, and stir in noodles just before serving.
Cooking noodles separately prevents them from becoming overly soft and mushy when stored or reheated. It also helps keep the broth from thickening too much or breaking down. Adding noodles at the end ensures they maintain a pleasant texture.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe is truly one of those dishes that feels like it took forever but really didn’t—thanks to a little hands-on prep and easy oven cooking. Every cozy spoonful reminds me why I keep coming back to this recipe, especially on chilly nights. I hope you enjoy making and savoring it as much as I do. Trust me, your kitchen (and your belly) will thank you!
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Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This comforting Beef Noodle Soup features tender chunks of sirloin simmered with aromatic vegetables, fire-roasted tomatoes, and peas in a creamy, flavorful broth. Perfect for a satisfying meal, it combines melt-in-your-mouth beef with chewy egg noodles in a rich sauce ideal for family dinners or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Beef and Seasoning
- 2 pounds top sirloin steak, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
Pasta
- 2 cups egg noodles, or your favorite sturdy pasta
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- ¾ cup carrots, chopped or sliced
- 2 ribs celery, chopped or sliced
- 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Thickening and Broth
- ¼ cup flour
- 5 cups water (can substitute with beef broth)
- 2 tablespoons beef base or beef bouillon (crushed if cubes)
Seasonings and Enhancers
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Cream and Final Ingredients
- 3 cups half and half (or evaporated milk)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 15-ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 cup frozen petite peas, not thawed
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the soup.
- Sear Beef: Toss the chopped sirloin with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half the beef and sear on all sides until deeply golden, about 4 minutes total. Remove with a slotted spoon and repeat with remaining beef, keeping the drippings in the pot.
- Sauté Vegetables: Melt 2 tablespoons butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil in the beef drippings over medium-high heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery, sautéing until onions soften, about 8 minutes. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds.
- Make Roux: Reduce heat to medium, sprinkle flour over vegetables, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly until raw flour smell disappears.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Reduce heat to low. Gradually pour in water while scraping browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in beef base, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, dried parsley, oregano, thyme, and paprika. Return seared beef to the pot and stir to combine.
- Bake Soup: Bring mixture to a simmer, cover, and transfer to the oven. Bake for 90 minutes or until the beef is tender and falls apart easily. During the last 20 minutes of baking, start cooking the pasta.
- Cook Noodles: Boil egg noodles in salted water in a separate pot until just al dente, a couple minutes before package directions. Drain and optionally toss lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Add Cream and Tomatoes: Remove the soup from the oven and place back on the stove. Whisk cornstarch into half and half, then stir into the soup along with diced tomatoes. Simmer gently for 3 minutes to thicken.
- Add Peas: Stir in frozen petite peas and cook for an additional minute until heated through.
- Combine and Season: Stir cooked noodles into the soup, then adjust salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- This recipe requires about 30 minutes of active prep and 2 hours of cooking, making it excellent for slow, hands-off cooking with rich results.
- If preferred, substitute beef broth for water and beef base for deeper flavor.
- Adjust the creaminess by using evaporated milk instead of half and half for a lighter option.
- The soup freezes well and reheats beautifully, making it perfect for leftovers.
- You can swap out vegetables based on availability or preferences, such as adding mushrooms or bell peppers.
- Cooking noodles separately prevents them from overcooking and becoming mushy in the soup.
- Using a Dutch oven is recommended for even heat distribution during searing and baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
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