There’s something incredibly cozy about a bowlful of rich, velvety soup that hugs your insides, and my Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe does exactly that. With tender beef, creamy broth, and perfectly cooked noodles, it’s a meal you’ll want to make again and again, especially when you need that special kind of comfort.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, this recipe has been a game changer for chilly nights when I want something filling but not fussy. It blends a rich creaminess with the hearty goodness of beef and fresh veggies — all coming together in a silky broth. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to put together, even on busy days.
- Deep Flavor: The slow baking melds the savory seared beef with aromatic herbs and garlic for a broth that tastes like it simmered all day.
- Creamy Texture: I use half and half plus a cornstarch slurry to create that luscious, velvety body without heaviness.
- Perfect Noodles: Cooking noodles separately keeps them from getting mushy in the soup, so you get a delightful chew every spoonful.
- Flexible & Adaptable: You can swap veggies, tweak creaminess, or even make it with broth or water—totally up to your taste and pantry.
Ingredients & Why They Work
When I first made this Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe, I was impressed at how each ingredient plays its part perfectly. The beef’s richness is balanced by the aromatics in the veggies and the warmth of the herbs. Here’s why these staples deserve a spot in your kitchen.
- Top sirloin steak: Tender and flavorful, it sears beautifully to develop deep, meaty flavor before slow baking to melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
- Salt and pepper: The quintessential seasonings that bring out the natural beef flavor right from the start.
- Vegetable oil and olive oil: These combine to sear the meat and sauté veggies without overpowering the other flavors.
- Onion, carrots, celery: Classic soup trio that forms the aromatic base, adding sweetness and earthiness.
- Garlic and red pepper flakes: Garlic gives a fragrant punch while red pepper flakes add just a hint of warmth and depth.
- Flour: Used to create a light roux that thickens the soup, giving that velvety texture.
- Water and beef base: This combo makes a rich broth without the need for store-bought stock, but you can easily swap it for beef broth if you prefer.
- Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard: They add layers of umami and tang that keep the flavor from being one-dimensional.
- Dried parsley, oregano, thyme, paprika: These herbs and spices amp up the savory notes and add a subtle smoky warmth.
- Half and half: This is the secret to creaminess without heaviness, and it’s mixed with cornstarch to achieve the perfect thickening.
- Cornstarch: Helps create the silky, slightly thickened broth without any grittiness.
- Fire roasted diced tomatoes: The juices add a slight tang and smoky dimension that lift the soup.
- Frozen petite peas: Added at the end for a pop of freshness and color without overpowering the dish.
- Egg noodles: Sturdy enough to hold up without getting mushy, they give just the right amount of chew.
Make It Your Way
I love making this Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe my own depending on what’s in my fridge or pantry. Don’t hesitate to adjust the veggies, swap noodles for another pasta, or dial up the spice if that’s your vibe.
- Variation: Sometimes I add mushrooms or swap peas for green beans when I want a different texture and earthiness—both work beautifully.
- Dairy-Free Option: I’ve used coconut milk instead of half and half once, and while it changes the flavor, the creaminess is still fantastic.
- Slow Cooker Friendly: You can brown the beef and veggies, then toss everything in your slow cooker for all-day simmering—just add noodles at the end.
- Make it Heartier: Double the beef or toss in some cooked bacon bits for an extra layer of savory goodness.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe
Step 1: Searing the Beef for Maximum Flavor
Toss your cubed top sirloin with salt and pepper right on the cutting board to season every piece evenly—it’s a trick I swear by rather than sprinkling later. Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a heavy Dutch oven until shimmering, then add half the beef in a single layer. Don’t crowd the pan or you’ll steam instead of sear. Let each side develop a deep golden crust over about 4 minutes total, then set aside and repeat with remaining beef. Those fond bits left in the pot? Flavor gold, so don’t clean them out yet.
Step 2: Sautéing the Veggies in Butter and Oil
After searing the beef, lower the heat to medium-high and melt butter with olive oil in the pot. Toss in your onions, carrots, and celery, stirring occasionally. You want the onions translucent and smelling sweet, about 8 minutes. Then add garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking just 30 seconds to prevent burning. This combo is the backbone of your soup’s rich flavor.
Step 3: Making the Roux to Thicken
Turn the heat down to medium and sprinkle the flour over the veggies, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes. This bakes out the raw flour taste and gives the soup that lovely velvety body. Watching it closely here is key—you don’t want it to brown.
Step 4: Building the Broth and Oven Baking
Now, slowly pour in water while scraping up those browned bits from the bottom—it’s called deglazing, and it layers flavor. Add your beef base, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Dijon, and dried herbs. Return the seared beef to the pot, then cover and transfer to a 325°F oven. Bake for about 90 minutes until the beef is tender like butter. Meanwhile, start boiling salted water to cook your noodles for the last 20 minutes.
Step 5: Perfectly Cooked Noodles
I always cook the egg noodles separately in salted boiling water, checking a couple minutes early to keep them al dente. A quick drizzle of olive oil after draining keeps them from sticking if the beef isn’t ready yet. This prevents mushy noodles soaking in broth, a mistake I’ve made before.
Step 6: Adding Cream, Tomatoes, and Peas
Return the soup pot to the stove. Whisk half and half with cornstarch until smooth, then stir into the hot soup along with the fire roasted tomatoes. Let it simmer gently for about 3 minutes until thickened. Toss in the frozen peas during the last minute to keep their bright flavor and color fresh.
Step 7: Final Combine and Season
Stir the noodles into the soup and taste for salt and pepper. I usually add just a pinch more salt here to balance everything perfectly. Garnish with fresh parsley if you want that little herbal brightness to finish it off.
Top Tip
From my experience making this Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe several times, I’ve learned a few key tips that really make all the difference when you want restaurant-worthy depth and texture in your bowl.
- Don’t skip searing: Browning the beef creates those delicious browned bits that form the soup’s flavor base. It’s worth a little extra time.
- Separate noodle cooking: I avoid adding noodles directly to the soup pot during the long cooking because they get mushy and soak up too much broth. Cook noodles separate and add them just before serving.
- Slow oven baking: Using the oven instead of stovetop simmer gives an even, gentle heat that transforms the beef to tender without drying it out.
- Roux patience: Cook your flour mixture thoroughly without browning so the soup thickens nicely without a raw flour taste.
How to Serve Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe
Garnishes
When serving, I like a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or thyme to add a pop of color and fresh herbal brightness. Sometimes I add a spoonful of sour cream or a dash of hot sauce for a tangy kick.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs beautifully with a big green salad loaded with crisp veggies and a tangy vinaigrette. I also love serving it with warm, crusty dinner rolls or buttery garlic bread to soak up the creamy broth.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I’ve ladled the soup into rustic bread bowls—it makes for a cozy, charming presentation. Alternatively, serve it in wide shallow bowls paired with a colorful side salad for a more elegant dinner.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge and they keep beautifully for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, but I usually keep noodles separate if I have any left to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
This soup freezes wonderfully without the creaminess breaking. I recommend freezing the soup base minus the noodles, then cook and add noodles fresh when reheating for the best texture.
Reheating
When reheating, warm gently on the stove over low-medium heat to keep the cream from curdling. Add cooked noodles or frozen peas at the end and stir until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While top sirloin is perfect for tenderness, you can also use chuck roast or stew meat. Just make sure to adjust cooking time until the beef is very tender.
Yes, you can substitute the half and half with coconut milk or almond milk, though this will change the flavor slightly. Use a cornstarch slurry as in the recipe to maintain creaminess.
Cooking noodles separately prevents them from absorbing too much broth and becoming mushy during the long cooking time. Adding them last keeps the perfect texture.
Yes, after searing the beef and sautéing the veggies, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Add the noodles at the very end to avoid overcooking.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe isn’t just dinner; it’s a warm hug in a bowl. I love how it feels both comforting and special at the same time, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy making it too. Once you try it, this recipe will sneak its way into your list of all-time favorites—so cozy, satisfying, and flexible for whatever your day calls for.
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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
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This Beef Noodle Soup recipe is a comforting and creamy meal featuring tender top sirloin steak simmered with vegetables and seasonings, combined with egg noodles in a rich broth. With just 30 minutes of hands-on prep and slow cooking in the oven, this satisfying soup is perfect for cozy dinners and reheats beautifully for leftovers.
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
Roux and Liquid Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 5 cups water (can substitute with broth as noted)
- 2 tablespoons beef base or beef bouillon (crushed if using cubes)
- 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
Dairy and Finishing Ingredients
- 3 cups half and half or evaporated milk
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 15 oz. 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 beef with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, add half of the beef and sear on all sides until deeply golden, about 4 minutes total. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Repeat with the remaining beef, leaving 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 chopped onions, carrots, and celery; sauté until onions soften, about 8 minutes. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes; sauté for 30 seconds to release their aroma.
- Make Roux: Reduce heat to medium and stir in the flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the raw flour smell disappears, stirring constantly to form a roux.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Lower heat to low, slowly stir in water while scraping up browned bits from the pot. Add beef base, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, dried parsley, oregano, thyme, and paprika. Stir in the seared beef pieces.
- Bake Soup: Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover the pot, and transfer it to the oven. Bake for 90 minutes or until the beef is tender and melt-in-your-mouth. Start boiling water to cook the pasta during the last 20 minutes of baking.
- Cook Noodles: In a separate pot, cook the egg noodles in salted boiling water until just al dente, a couple minutes less than package instructions. Drain and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking if the beef is not ready yet.
- Add Dairy and Tomatoes: When the beef is tender, move the pot back to the stove over low heat. Whisk together half and half with cornstarch and stir into the soup along with the fire roasted diced tomatoes. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until thickened, about 3 minutes. Add frozen peas in the last minute of cooking.
- Combine and Season: Stir in the cooked egg noodles and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- This soup is creamy and comforting with minimal hands-on prep, relying on oven baking for tender beef.
- Use broth instead of water for a richer flavor if preferred.
- Cooking noodles separately prevents toughening the beef and keeps pasta texture perfect.
- You can swap or add other vegetables to customize the soup.
- Reheats well making it ideal for leftovers or meal prep.
- Serve as a one-pot meal or with a side salad and dinner rolls for a complete dinner.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1 ½ cups)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
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