French Onion Soup Casserole Recipe | LaaLoosh (2024)

By Wendy Zitzman

French Onion Soup Casserole Recipe | LaaLoosh (1)

French Onion Soup has always been one of my favorite dishes…who doesn’t love the idea of toasted bread and gooey cheese, melted all over a hot and flavorful onion soup?

But the traditional French Onion Soup recipe is not low calorie or Weight Watchers friendly. I’ve tried a few pre-made, low calorie versions that I’ve found in grocery stores but the taste is either blah or the portion is super small. So I set out on a journey to make my own but also decided to make it as a casserole, just because I was hungry and wanted a meal that had some substance.

It was so easy to make and the finished product was delicious! All the flavors that I love but for fewer Points. And making it into a casserole was really easy. It just basically the soup with more onions and less broth. If you want to make this dish as a soup, just use more broth when making it. So simple, yet so perfect.

And each very large serving is just 5 Points. This low calorie French Onion Soup Casserole Recipe is perfect for warming up on a cold day.

Enjoy!

French Onion Soup Casserole Recipe | LaaLoosh (2)

A casserole version of traditional French Onion Soup, this dish is a real winner. Each serving is very big, and you get all the delicious flavors that are expected. A perfect, low calorie recipe to warm you up on a cold winter day.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings 4

Calories 237 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch Oven

  • 1 Oven

Ingredients

  • 5 medium onions - thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp light butter
  • 1 cup fat free beef broth
  • ½ cup red wine
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • loaf French baguette
  • 4 slices light Swiss cheese - I used Jarlsberg
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Set a large pot or Dutch oven medium high heat, melt butter and add in onions, garlic and salt.

  • Cook, stirring frequently until onions become caramelized, about 30-40 minutes.

  • If onions start to stick to pan, just stir a tbsp or two of the broth as needed.

  • Once onions are caramelized, add in the broth, wine, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, pepper and thyme. Simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • Turn heat to low and add in vinegar and season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Cover and keep over low heat to stay hot while you prepare the bread.

  • Preheat oven broiler. Slice 1/3 of a loaf of French baguette into about 12 slices.

  • Spray a baking sheet with nonfat cooking spray, and arrange baguette slices evenly on sheet. Lightly mist again with an olive oil mister or the nonfat cooking spray and then place in oven for 3 minutes on each side, or until bread is well toasted on both sides.

  • Remove bread from oven and set it to bake on 375 degrees.

  • Pour onion mixture into an 8X8 casserole dish. Top evenly with bread slices and then cover evenly with Swiss cheese slices.

  • Place casserole dish into oven and let bake until cheese is melted and bubbly and beginning to brown, about 10-15 minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5 cupsCalories: 237 kcal (12%)Carbohydrates: 29 g (10%)Protein: 11 g (22%)Fat: 5 g (8%)Fiber: 3 g (13%)

Cuisine: French Recipes

Diet: Low Calorie Recipes, Low Fat Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes

Main Ingredient: Vegetable Recipes

Category: Casserole Recipes

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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AuthorWendy Zitzman

As your average, every day, All American woman, I look forward to sharing with you my thoughts and ideas on many different topics that interest me such as dieting, health & fitness. Trust me when I tell you that this is one site you NEED to bookmark! I have the most amazing recipes with Weight Watchers Points that you won’t believe are low calorie! As an avid Weight Watchers follower, I have learned so many helpful tips and tools over the years that I am eager to share.

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    20 Comments

    1. barb9 years ago

      Followed exact directions. No problem with extra soup. This is Great! Thanks.

    2. Sarah11 years ago

      About to assemble – but my onions seem like they’re too “soupy”. How much liquid should be in the onion mixture?

    3. Gail11 years ago

      How does this make 4 servings of 1-1/2 cups each with only 1-1/2 cups total liquid?

    4. Dana11 years ago

      Got very excited coming across this recipe only to find out it’s not actually vegetarian. I’m sure that vegetable broth would not make this taste the same.

    5. Chriseda Howard11 years ago

      I just wanted you to know that I made this for my husband and myself this week and we both loved it. Thank you so much for the tip about using some broth to keep the onions from sticking to the pot, that was a real issue for me.

    6. Heather Mathieson11 years ago

      Considering I cook for 1… how well do you think this would keep/reheat??

    7. Gigi11 years ago

      I made this tonight and it was very tasty. I wouldn’t call it a casserole it was too soupy, We ate it as a soup… I followed the directions exactly,

    8. Rebecca O'Malley11 years ago

      this sounds great. do you think you could make the soup mixture ahead of time and refrigerate then just heat up with bread, cheese, etc later?

      • laaloosh11 years ago

        Sounds like a good idea! I think it should work fine….

    9. KatieQ11 years ago

      This casserole should not be classified as vegetarian because it is made with beef broth and Worcestershire sauce which contains anchovies..

      • Beth Baker11 years ago

        Easily remedied by subbing beef flavored veggie broth and anchovy free worcestershire …….but the last bottle of Worcestershire I picked up – no longer listed anchovies in the ingredients.

    10. Steph11 years ago

      Caramelize onions for 30-40 minutes?

      • laaloosh11 years ago

        Yes.

      • k l11 years ago

        they are wonderful.

      • Cate9 years ago

        That is what makes it so yummy!!!!!. I always cook them slow on low heat, but this is the best recipie I have found. I dont have the individual crocks and it still taste the same!

    11. Michelle Englehart Miller11 years ago

      Sounds delish, but to clarify, you’d have to use veg broth for this to be vegetarian.

    12. Just One Boomer (Suzanne)11 years ago

      Perfect for winter comfort food for those of us up in the northeast blue states.

    13. Elizabeth @ Food Ramblings11 years ago

      making it this weekend!!!

    14. Judy@lifeonthefoodchain.com11 years ago

      This is pure genius! If it wasn’t 8 AM I’d run and make it now…it may be on tonights dinner menu, though. Looks delish.

    Food Recipes

    French Onion Soup Casserole Recipe | LaaLoosh (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the difference between onion soup and French onion soup? ›

    What is the Difference Between Onion Soup and French Onion Soup? French onion soup is always made with beef stock. Other onion soups can be made with chicken, vegetable, or beef stock. Additionally, French onion soup typically contains wine or sherry, which isn't typical or necessary in other onion soups.

    How do you add depth of flavor to French onion soup? ›

    A few sprigs of thyme and a bay leaf elevate the soup even more, but I take it a step further, adding a splash of fish sauce for complexity and depth—don't worry, it won't taste fishy—and a hit of cider vinegar to balance some of that oniony sweetness.

    Should you cook onions before putting in casserole? ›

    To prevent a soupy casserole, be sure to fully thaw any frozen vegetables in a colander over a bowl, and pat dry, squeeze excess moisture out of greens like spinach or chard, and quickly precook watery fresh vegetables like onions, mushrooms or squashes just until they release their moisture.

    What broth is French onion soup made of? ›

    What Is French Onion Soup? French onion soup, or soupe à l'oignon gratinée, is a classic French dish made with caramelized onions and beef stock or broth. The soup is topped with bread and cheese, then gratinéed to rich, gooey perfection. It's traditionally served in a ramekin or a ceramic crock with a handle.

    Why is French onion soup so expensive? ›

    First, French onion soup calls for a ton of onions. While onions aren't expensive, there's a lot of labor involved in halving, peeling, and slicing 10, 12, 50, or one billion onions (I don't know how much soup you make).

    Why does French onion soup taste so good? ›

    French onion soup is the ultimate comfort food. Onions get slowly cooked until sweet and caramelized, then simmered in rich broth until they're practically falling apart. To finish it off, toasted bread is added to give it that lovable crisp-gone-soggy texture and a generous amount of Gruyère cheese is melted on top.

    Why do you put baking soda in French onion soup? ›

    The caramelized onions for this soup cook more quickly due to a pinch of baking soda but still have that deep, slow-cooked flavor. Topping the soup with hot, cheesy toasts prepared while the soup simmers, eliminates the need to bake the soup in specialty French onion soup bowls.

    Why does my French onion soup taste weird? ›

    Lack of seasoning: Seasoning is crucial in any dish, and French onion soup is no exception. If you don't add enough salt, pepper, or other herbs and spices, the soup may taste bland. Weak broth: The quality and intensity of the beef broth used in the soup can greatly impact its flavor.

    What is traditionally served with French onion soup? ›

    French onion soup (French: soupe à l'oignon [sup a lɔɲɔ̃]) is a soup of onions, gently fried and then cooked in meat stock or water, usually served gratinéed with croutons or a larger piece of bread covered with cheese floating on top.

    Which onions are best for casseroles? ›

    Yellow onions are perfect for stews, soups, barbecues, roasts and sauces. Avoid eating them raw as they have a strong flavour.

    What is the key to making a good casserole? ›

    1. Choose the right baking dish. If you're all about the crunchy topping, use a shallow dish. ...
    2. Undercook your pasta. ...
    3. Drain your meat. ...
    4. Beware of mushy vegetables. ...
    5. Know your cheeses. ...
    6. Master the art of casserole assembly. ...
    7. Don't skip the topping. ...
    8. Make it now, but bake it later.
    Nov 1, 2021

    Should you cover casserole when baking? ›

    Generally, casseroles with grains, rice or pasta that will cook during the baking process are usually covered, for at least part of the time. Casseroles made of cooked ingredients are usually baked uncovered. If you like a crisper, browner top, be sure the casserole is uncovered for at least part of the bake time.

    What is the best wine to use in French onion soup? ›

    Wine is optional to deglaze the pan and add flavour to the soup. I recommend a dry white or red wine, such as a good quality Pinot Grigio/Gris, Sauv Blanc, Sémillon, Chardonnay, Merlot or Pinot Noir. Generally, if you can't drink it, don't cook with it.

    What cheese can I use instead of gruyère in French onion soup? ›

    Other Swiss types of cheese like Raclette cheese or Appenzeller Cheese or Dutch cheeses like Edam cheese or Gouda or Jarlsberg cheese from Norway or American Swiss cheese can all be substituted.

    Can you use broth instead of stock for French onion soup? ›

    Broth/stock - French Onion Soup can be made with chicken or beef broth. It is more commonly made with beef stock, from what I have observed. Use a good quality beef stock.

    What is the difference between French onion and onion? ›

    Is there a difference between onion soup and French onion soup? Onion soup usually requires a combination of a variety of onions. French onion soup is traditionally made with yellow onions. Also, French onion soup is always made with beef stock while onion soup uses any type of stock or broth.

    Is French onion soup just called onion soup in France? ›

    I'm told that French Onion Soup is called just “onion soup” in France, but to more accurately describe what we have come to know is called Soupe à l'Oignon Gratinée. Gratin is a culinary technique in which an ingredient is topped with a browned crust, often using breadcrumbs, grated cheese, egg or butter.

    What are the two types of soups in French? ›

    Traditionally, french soups are classified into two groups: clear soups and thick soups. The established French classifications of clear soups are bouillon and consommé.

    Should French onion soup be thick or thin? ›

    Made slightly thicker than most watered down soups because every mouthful NEEDS a slightly thickened texture to compliment the caramelized onions.

    References

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