There’s something so comforting about a bowl full of rich broth, tender beef, and perfectly cooked noodles. This Beef Noodle Soup Recipe brings all those cozy vibes together in a way that’s more than just soup—it’s a full-on warm hug in a bowl that you'll find yourself coming back to again and again.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this Beef Noodle Soup Recipe so many times, and it never fails to impress. It's got layers of deep meaty flavor balanced by creamy, luscious broth and fresh veggies. Plus, it’s straightforward enough that you can make it any night of the week without fuss.
- Hearty and Comforting: The tender seared beef combined with egg noodles creates a satisfying, filling meal that just warms you from the inside out.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: A blend of Worcestershire, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard boosts the broth without overpowering, giving it an irresistible depth.
- Hands-Off Braising: Baking the soup low and slow in the oven makes the beef melt-in-your-mouth tender, with minimal active cooking time.
- Customizable Comfort: You can easily swap veggies, adjust seasoning, or even slow cook it—making it perfect for your taste and schedule.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Beef Noodle Soup Recipe plays a crucial part in creating that rich, savory, and creamy soup you’ll love. I always recommend picking fresh veggies and good-quality beef to get the best results, and don't skip the searing step—it really builds the flavor foundation.
- Top sirloin steak: A lean yet tender cut that sears beautifully and stays flavorful through slow cooking.
- Salt and pepper: Essential to season the meat properly from the start, boosting the meat’s natural flavor.
- Vegetable oil: For searing the beef without burning, giving you that delicious crust.
- Egg noodles: I like sturdy noodles that hold up well without becoming mushy when tossed with soup.
- Butter and olive oil: A combo that adds richness and helps soften the veggies with great flavor.
- Onion, carrots, celery: Classic aromatics that bring sweetness and earthiness to the broth.
- Garlic and red pepper flakes: Garlic adds aroma, while the red pepper flakes give just a little warmth.
- Flour: This creates a roux to thicken the soup slightly, giving it a luscious texture.
- Water and beef base/bouillon: The liquid backbone—using beef base boosts richness if you don't want to use broth.
- Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce: These umami powerhouses deepen the soup’s flavor complexity.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a subtle tang that brightens the broth.
- Dried parsley, oregano, thyme, paprika: Herbs and spice for balanced earthy and smoky notes.
- Half and half or evaporated milk: Makes the soup creamy without overpowering the hearty broth.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the half and half mixture to keep the soup smooth and silky.
- Fire roasted diced tomatoes: I love the smoky sweetness these add to cut through the creaminess.
- Frozen petite peas: Add a pop of color and sweetness, tossed in at the end to keep them vibrant.
Make It Your Way
What’s great about this Beef Noodle Soup Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I like to make it as is for a classic bowl, but sometimes I throw in extras or change things up depending on the season or what I have on hand. You can absolutely put your personal twist on it!
- Variation: I’ve swapped the top sirloin for chuck roast when I wanted it even more tender and juicy—just adjust the cooking time to get that perfect melt-in-your-mouth result.
- Vegetarian twist: If you prefer meatless, use vegetable broth and add mushrooms to create that umami richness without the beef.
- Spicier version: Kick it up with extra red pepper flakes or even a dash of sriracha for some heat.
- Slow cooker method: I sometimes do the initial sear and veg sauté on the stove, then move everything to the slow cooker for those days I want hands-off comfort.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Beef Noodle Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Beef to Lock in Flavor
First things first—while your beef is still on the cutting board, sprinkle it with salt and pepper. This little seasoning step before cooking really makes a difference. Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in your Dutch oven until it's smoking hot, then add half the beef pieces. You want to get a deep golden crust, which usually takes about 4 minutes total, turning so all sides get that beautiful sear. Use a slotted spoon to move the beef to a plate and repeat with the rest. Those delicious browned bits left in the pot? Gold. They’re flavor magic for your soup base.
Step 2: Build Your Flavor Base with Vegetables
Lower the heat a bit and melt your butter with olive oil in the same pot, using the beef drippings for extra richness. Toss in onions, carrots, and celery, letting them soften and release their sweetness. After about 8 minutes, add garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of warmth, cooking for just 30 seconds so everything stays bright and fragrant.
Step 3: Make the Roux and Add Liquids
Turn the heat down to medium and sprinkle in the flour, stirring constantly so it cooks out the raw taste—this should take 1 to 2 minutes. Then, move the heat to low and slowly pour in the water, scraping up those tasty browned bits from the bottom. Stir in your beef base, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and all your herbs and seasonings—this combo makes the broth irresistibly savory. Pop the seared beef back in and give it all a good stir.
Step 4: Bake Low and Slow for Tender Beef
Bring the pot to a gentle simmer, cover, and slide it into a 325°F oven. This slow braise for about 90 minutes is what transforms your beef to succulent, tender perfection. While the soup is baking, start your pasta water so they’re ready at dinner time.
Step 5: Cook Noodles Separately & Finish the Soup
Cook your egg noodles just until al dente in boiling salted water—don’t overdo it since they’ll soak up the soup's flavors later. Drain and toss with a bit of olive oil if you aren’t ready to add them right away. When your beef is tender, bring the soup back to the stove and whisk together the half and half with cornstarch. Stir that into the pot with the diced tomatoes, simmering until lovely and thick. Toss in the frozen peas last minute, then stir everything together with the noodles. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
Top Tip
Having made this Beef Noodle Soup Recipe more times than I can count, a few key tips help keep it tasting incredible every time. It’s that sear on the beef and the slow braise in the oven that give you unbeatable flavor and texture.
- Searing for Flavor: Don’t rush this step—getting a dark crust on your beef is essential as it adds the deep savory notes your soup needs.
- Separate Noodle Cooking: Cooking noodles separately prevents them from turning gummy or tough, especially since beef benefits from slow cooking without boiling.
- Slow Oven Braise: Using the oven for low and slow cooking helps the beef become melt-in-your-mouth soft, something stovetop simmering sometimes can’t achieve.
- Thickening Last: Add your half and half mixture after the beef is tender, so the creaminess stays smooth and doesn’t curdle.
How to Serve Beef Noodle Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I usually finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley—it adds a pop of color and fresh herbiness that brightens the soup beautifully. Sometimes, I’ll add a dash of cracked black pepper or even a squeeze of lemon for a little zing. Freshly chopped green onions can also add a subtle crunch and mild sharpness that works wonders.
Side Dishes
This soup is so filling on its own, but I like pairing it with rustic bread for dipping or a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to lighten up the meal. For a bit of extra comfort, garlic bread or roasted Brussels sprouts make great companions too.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this soup in small, individual crocks or rustic bowls with a crisp grilled cheese on the side—it feels like something you’d find in a cozy bistro. You can also ladle it over just a few noodles in a shallow bowl and garnish with microgreens or a swirl of chili oil for a restaurant-style touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge and it keeps beautifully for up to four days. When I want to eat it later, I reheat gently on the stove, stirring occasionally to keep everything smooth and evenly warmed.
Freezing
Because of the creamy broth and noodles, freezing the full soup isn’t my go-to—I’ve found the texture can get a bit weird. Instead, I freeze the soup base (without noodles) in a freezer-safe container for up to three months, using evaporated milk instead of half and half before freezing. When thawed, I cook fresh noodles separately just before serving.
Reheating
When reheating, I gently warm the soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring often. Adding freshly cooked noodles at this stage keeps the texture spot on and prevents mushiness. If the soup thickens too much upon reheating, just splash in a bit of water or broth to loosen it up.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While top sirloin is great for its balance of lean and tenderness, you can use chuck roast or even brisket. Just be mindful that tougher cuts might need longer cooking times to become tender.
You can substitute the flour with a gluten-free flour blend when making the roux, and use gluten-free noodles instead of egg noodles. Also, double-check that your beef base and soy sauce are gluten-free.
Cooking noodles separately prevents them from soaking up too much liquid and turning mushy. Since the beef needs slow, gentle cooking, boiling noodles directly in the soup would make the beef tough and the noodles overcooked.
Yes! After searing the beef and sautéing the vegetables on the stove, transfer everything to a slow cooker with adjusted liquid amounts (reduce water and beef concentrate slightly) and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours until the beef is tender. Then finish with the creamy elements and noodles before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Beef Noodle Soup Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen, especially when I want something that fills the soul and satisfies everyone at the table. It’s approachable yet elegant, perfect for weeknights or special weekends alike. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making and eating it just as much as I do—nothing beats that feeling of sharing a homemade bowl of comfort with loved ones.
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Beef Noodle Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This hearty Beef Noodle Soup is a comforting dish featuring tender top sirloin steak simmered in a flavorful broth with vegetables and creamy half and half. The egg noodles are cooked separately to ensure perfect texture, then combined for a rich and satisfying meal perfect for cool days.
Ingredients
Beef and Noodles
- 2 pounds top sirloin steak, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 2 cups egg noodles, or your favorite sturdy pasta
Soup
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 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
- ¼ cup flour
- 5 cups water
- 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
Add Later
- 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 F to prepare for baking the soup later.
- Sear beef: Toss the chopped beef with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half the beef and sear each side until deeply golden about 4 minutes total. Remove to a plate with a slotted spoon. Repeat with remaining beef, leaving drippings in the pot. Set beef aside.
- Sauté vegetables: Melt 2 tablespoons butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil in the drippings over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions, carrots, and celery and sauté until onions soften, about 8 minutes. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Make roux: Reduce heat to medium. Sprinkle in flour and cook 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until the raw flour smell is gone.
- Add broth and seasonings: Reduce heat to low. Slowly stir in water, scraping browned bits from the bottom. Add beef base, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, dried parsley, oregano, thyme, and paprika. Stir in the seared beef.
- Bake soup: Bring pot to a simmer, cover, and transfer to oven. Bake at 325 degrees F for 90 minutes or until beef is very tender. Begin cooking noodles the last 20 minutes of baking.
- Cook noodles: Boil egg noodles in salted water until just al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil if beef is not done to prevent sticking. Do not add noodles to pot yet.
- Add half and half mixture: Remove pot from oven and place on stove. Whisk half and half with cornstarch and stir into soup along with diced tomatoes. Simmer gently until thickened, about 3 minutes. Add frozen peas during the last minute.
- Combine and season: Stir cooked noodles into the soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute the 5 cups of water with reduced sodium beef broth and omit the beef base or bouillon for a richer flavor.
- For a slow cooker version: reduce water to 4 cups and beef concentrate to 1 ½ tablespoons. After searing beef and sautéing vegetables, transfer to slow cooker and cook on HIGH 4-6 hours or LOW 8-10 hours until beef is tender. Finish the recipe on the stove.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- For meal prep, prepare entire recipe ahead or keep components separate and combine when ready to serve.
- Do not freeze the complete soup with noodles and half and half as texture may suffer. Freeze soup base with evaporated milk and add freshly cooked noodles when reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1 ½ cups)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
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