There’s something so cozy about a bowl that’s rich, velvety, and full of tender beef and noodles. This Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe hits all those marks with a luscious broth and hearty ingredients that’ll warm your heart and your belly. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want it on your regular rotation.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe isn’t just another beef soup—it’s all about that creamy richness paired with melt-in-your-mouth tender beef and just the right chew from egg noodles. Over the years, it’s become my go-to comfort meal whenever I want something satisfying but fuss-free.
- Hands-Off Cooking: With mostly oven time, you prep quickly and let the soup transform itself into a flavorful masterpiece.
- Perfectly Tender Beef: Slow baking the beef in the broth makes it incredibly tender without drying it out.
- Layered Flavors: From Worcestershire to fire-roasted tomatoes and just a touch of spice, every spoonful is full of depth.
- Customizable Comfort: You can adjust the creaminess or swap veggies to suit your mood or pantry.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This soup’s magic starts with simple, well-chosen ingredients that build on each other perfectly. A quality top sirloin steak ensures tender beef, while the combo of veggies brings a fresh earthiness. The creamy broth, thickened just right with cornstarch, rounds out the dish beautifully.
- Top sirloin steak: I like this cut for its flavor and tenderness once slow cooked—plus, it’s affordable enough for a big batch.
- Egg noodles: Sturdy enough to hold up in the soup, they soak up that creamy broth without getting mushy.
- Onion, carrots, celery: Classic mirepoix veggies that build a flavorful base—you can’t skip these.
- Garlic & red pepper flakes: Just enough heat and aroma to lift the savory notes.
- Flour: Creates a roux in the pan to thicken the broth beautifully and give that silky texture.
- Water & beef base: Using water with beef base lets you control the salt and richness better than straight broth.
- Worcestershire & soy sauce: Adds umami layers for a deep, rich taste.
- Dijon mustard: A little tang that brightens the creamy broth just right.
- Seasonings (parsley, oregano, thyme, paprika): Give the soup warm, herbal undertones with just a whisper of smokiness.
- Half and half: Brings that wonderful creamy texture, lighter than heavy cream but luxuriously smooth.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the soup gently without clumps—easy to control consistency.
- Fire roasted diced tomatoes: Add a subtle, smoky sweetness that balances the richness perfectly.
- Frozen petite peas: A quick pop of color and sweetness at the end.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe is how easy it is to adapt. Over time, I’ve switched up veggies and even tried it with different pastas. The base is forgiving and opens up many possibilities to make it your own.
- Variation: I once added mushrooms and swapped egg noodles for whole wheat pasta, giving it an earthier flavor and a bit more texture.
- Dairy-Free Option: Try using coconut milk or an unsweetened cashew cream instead of half and half for a dairy-free spin—I found it comforting but slightly different texture-wise.
- Spice it up: If you want a little kick, add more red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce after it’s done simmering.
- Slow Cooker Twist: After searing, toss everything (except noodles and cream) into a slow cooker for 6–8 hours, then stir in the cream and noodles last—you’ll get the same tenderness with less active time.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe
Step 1: Season and Sear the Beef
I like to toss the chopped sirloin directly on the board with salt and pepper before heating my pan. Using a heavy Dutch oven, I heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil until really hot, then add half the beef, making sure each piece gets a deep, golden crust. The sear locks in those beefy flavors. I remove the beef with a slotted spoon and repeat with the rest, leaving the fond (the tasty browned bits) right in the pot—that's pure flavor waiting to be scraped up.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pot, I melt butter and add olive oil to keep those veggies from sticking. Toss in the onions, carrots, and celery, cooking them until soft and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Then a quick hit of minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes to wake up your senses—just 30 seconds will do so you don’t burn the garlic.
Step 3: Make the Roux and Add Broth
Lower the heat to medium and sprinkle the flour over the veggies, stirring constantly for about 1-2 minutes until the raw flour smell disappears. This step is important because it thickens the soup later without tasting floury. Next, I slowly pour in the water while scraping up those browned bits from the bottom. Then, I stir in beef base, Worcestershire, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and the dried herbs along with the seared beef pieces. It’s smelling incredible already!
Step 4: Oven-Bake the Soup
Cover the pot and pop it into a 325°F oven for 90 minutes. This low and slow cooking breaks down the beef to tender perfection. While it’s baking, start a separate pot to boil salted water and cook your egg noodles until just al dente—being careful not to overcook because you'll toss them in at the very end.
Step 5: Finish with Cream and Peas
Once the beef is fork-tender, return the pot to the stove on low heat. Whisk together half and half with cornstarch and stir into the soup with the fire-roasted tomatoes. Let it simmer gently, thickening up in about 3 minutes, then add those bright green peas for the last minute to heat through without losing color.
Step 6: Combine and Season
Finally, stir in the noodles and give it a taste test for salt and pepper. If you want, sprinkle with fresh parsley to bring some freshness. Then dive in with a big spoon!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to make this Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe truly shine and to help you avoid any pitfalls that can happen when making creamy soups with meat:
- Don’t Boil the Beef: Cooking the beef in the oven at low heat keeps it tender and prevents it from toughening—boiling meat often ruins the texture.
- Cook Noodles Separately: Adding noodles directly to the soup too early can make them soggy fast. Cooking them separately ensures perfect bite and texture.
- Use a Roux: The flour cooked with butter and veggies thickens the broth evenly and gives a wonderful silky finish—never skip this step!
- Whisk Cornstarch with Dairy: Mixing cornstarch with half and half before adding it helps avoid lumps and keeps the soup smooth.
How to Serve Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I’m all about simplicity here. Freshly chopped parsley adds that perfect pop of green and mild herbal bite. Sometimes I toss on a sprinkle of shredded Parmesan or even a few crispy fried shallots when I’m feeling fancy. A drizzle of good olive oil right before serving also adds richness and shine.
Side Dishes
This soup is a hearty meal on its own, but I love pairing it with things like crusty bread or soft dinner rolls to soak up the creamy broth. A crisp garden salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the richness beautifully, especially when you want something fresh alongside.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special family dinner, I’ve served this creamy beef noodle soup in mini bread bowls, which adds a playful touch and extra breadiness. Alternatively, ladling into pretty ceramic bowls and topping with a sprig of fresh thyme makes for comforting elegance. Perfect for cozy nights or impressing guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers I have, I let cool completely, then transfer to airtight containers and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you notice the noodles have soaked up too much broth, just add a splash of water or broth before reheating to loosen the soup up again.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this soup a few times too. Pro tip: freeze it without the noodles mixed in—they tend to get mushy thawed and reheated. Freeze in portion-sized containers, and when ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and cook your noodles fresh when reheating.
Reheating
I gently reheat this soup on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring often until warmed through. It keeps the cream from breaking and the beef tender. Adding freshly cooked noodles at this stage brightens the dish like new.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While top sirloin is ideal for its tenderness and flavor, you can substitute chuck roast or stew meat. Just remember that tougher cuts might benefit from longer cook times to become tender.
Yes, after searing the beef and sautéing the veggies, you can transfer everything (except noodles and cream) to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the beef is tender. Add cream and noodles before serving.
You can substitute with evaporated milk for a similar creamy texture, or use a mixture of milk and cream. Just avoid skimping too much on fat, or the soup won’t have that luxurious mouthfeel.
The best way is to cook the noodles separately just until al dente and add them right before serving. If making ahead, keep noodles separate and add freshly cooked ones when reheating for best texture.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Beef Noodle Soup Recipe feels like a hug in a bowl—rich, comforting, and infinitely satisfying. It’s the kind of meal that gets requested again and again from my family, and I’m confident you’ll be adding it to your favorites too. So grab your Dutch oven, get the beef searing, and settle in for some seriously comforting deliciousness.
Print
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 Salt
Description
This Beef Noodle Soup is a comforting and creamy meal loaded with tender top sirloin steak, hearty vegetables, fire roasted tomatoes, and chewy egg noodles in a rich, flavorful broth. With just 30 minutes of hands-on prep and slow oven baking, this satisfying soup is perfect for cozy dinners and reheats beautifully for leftovers.
Ingredients
Beef
- 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
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for noodles)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 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
Broth and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 5 cups water (or broth for richer flavor)
- 2 tablespoons beef base or beef bouillon
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon each dried oregano, dried thyme, paprika
Final Soup Mix
- 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 and Season: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Toss the chopped top sirloin with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper to season.
- Sear the Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, add half the beef pieces and sear each side until deeply golden, about 4 minutes total. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate. Repeat with the remaining beef allowing drippings to remain in the pot.
- Sauté Vegetables: Melt 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in the beef drippings over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery and sauté until onions soften, about 8 minutes. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Make the Roux: Reduce heat to medium and sprinkle in the flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes while stirring to remove the raw flour taste and create a roux.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Slowly pour in the water while scraping up browned bits on the pot’s bottom. Stir in beef base, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, dried parsley, oregano, thyme, and paprika. Add the seared beef back into the pot and stir well.
- Bake in Oven: Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover, and place the Dutch oven in the preheated oven. Bake for 90 minutes or until the beef is tender and melts in your mouth. Begin cooking the pasta during the last 20 minutes of baking.
- Cook Noodles: Boil the egg noodles separately in salted water until just al dente, checking a few minutes earlier than package instructions. Drain and, if the beef needs more time, toss noodles lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Thicken Soup and Add Final Ingredients: Transfer the pot back to the stove. Whisk the half and half with cornstarch until smooth, then stir into the soup along with fire roasted diced tomatoes. Heat gently, bringing soup to a simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes. Add frozen peas during the last minute of cooking.
- Combine and Season: Stir the cooked noodles into the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- This recipe yields a creamy, comforting soup perfect for a filling meal or serving alongside a salad and dinner rolls.
- For richer flavor, substitute water with beef broth or stock if preferred.
- Cooking noodles separately prevents the beef from toughening and keeps noodles from becoming mushy.
- Make the soup creamier or more brothy by adjusting the amount of half and half or evaporated milk.
- You can swap vegetables according to availability or preference, such as adding mushrooms or green beans.
- This soup reheats very well, making it ideal for leftovers or meal prep.
- If you don’t have a Dutch oven, use any heavy bottom oven-safe pot with a lid.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Leave a Reply