There’s something instantly comforting about a warm bowl of noodles swimming in savory, tender beef broth — that’s why this Beef Noodle Soup Recipe has been a go-to in my kitchen, especially when I want a hug in a bowl. The rich, hearty flavors come together to create a soup that’s as satisfying as it is soul-soothing.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Since the first time I made this Beef Noodle Soup Recipe, it’s stood out for its balance of rich beefiness and creamy texture, thanks to a slow oven braise and a simple yet flavorful finish. It’s not just tasty — it’s also pretty straightforward, so even soup skeptics have loved it.
- Deep, Tender Beef: Slow cooking in the oven makes the sirloin melt in your mouth every time.
- Perfectly Cooked Noodles: Cooking noodles separately keeps them from getting mushy or overcooked in the broth.
- Flavor Layering: A blend of Worcestershire, soy sauce, and a touch of Dijon ramps up umami and complexity beautifully.
- Comfort Food With a Twist: The creamy broth made with half and half gives this soup a cozy richness without feeling heavy.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic behind this Beef Noodle Soup Recipe starts with simple, quality ingredients that each bring a unique touch. When they come together, you get a broth that’s rich and silky, beef that’s tender, and veggies that add fresh balance.
- Top Sirloin Steak: This cut browns beautifully and stays tender when slow cooked, lending deep flavor and texture.
- Egg Noodles: I love using sturdy egg noodles here because they hold their shape and soak up the broth just right.
- Butter & Olive Oil: The combo adds richness to the veggies and creates the perfect base for the roux.
- Onion, Carrots, Celery: The classic soup trio — they build a hearty, aromatic foundation.
- Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes: Garlic adds warmth, while a pinch of red pepper flakes gives a subtle, pleasant kick.
- Flour: Used to thicken the soup gently without heaviness.
- Water and Beef Base (or Broth): Beef base intensifies the meaty, savory notes; broth works wonderfully, too.
- Worcestershire Sauce & Soy Sauce: Layers of umami and a slightly tangy depth come from these two.
- Dijon Mustard: Just a touch brightens the whole dish and balances richness.
- Herbs & Spices: Parsley, oregano, thyme, and paprika complement the beef without overpowering it.
- Half and Half or Evaporated Milk: This makes the soup creamy and comforting — I find half and half perfect for a lighter touch.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the soup smoothly when combined with the dairy.
- Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes: Adds a subtle smokiness and brightness alongside the creaminess.
- Frozen Petite Peas: These add a pop of fresh flavor and color right at the end.
Make It Your Way
I love how versatile this Beef Noodle Soup Recipe is — you can make it lighter, heartier, or even a bit spicy depending on your mood. Customizing it keeps it fresh and interesting every time I make it.
- Variation: I've swapped the half and half for coconut milk once to make a dairy-free version, which was surprisingly delicious and added a subtle coconut twist that worked beautifully with the spices.
- Vegetarian Option: For a meatless take, replace beef with mushrooms and use vegetable broth — the umami flavors still shine.
- Spicy Upgrade: Add more red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce if you want to wake up your taste buds a bit more.
- Seasonal Add-ins: Feel free to toss in whatever extra veggies you have — like spinach, kale, or mushrooms — near the end of cooking for extra nutrition.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Beef Noodle Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Beef to Perfection
I start by seasoning the chopped sirloin right on the cutting board with salt and pepper — this little trick helps evenly season every piece without washing away the flavors. Then I heat up a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a Dutch oven until it’s almost smoking hot. Adding the beef in batches, I sear each piece until deeply golden on all sides, about 4 minutes total per batch. This searing step creates those delicious brown bits that add so much flavor later, so don’t rush it! Once browned, I remove the beef but leave all the tasty drippings right in the pot.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables and Build the Base
Next, I melt butter teamed with olive oil in those beef drippings over medium-high heat — this combo adds depth and silkiness to the soup. Then, I add onion, carrots, and celery and cook until the onion turns translucent and the veggies start to soften, about 8 minutes. Adding the minced garlic and red pepper flakes last gives that lovely aromatic pop, but only for 30 seconds so it doesn’t burn.
Step 3: Make the Roux and Add the Broth
This is where the soup starts thickening up — I lower the heat to medium and sprinkle in the flour, cooking it for 1–2 minutes until it loses that raw smell. Then, on low heat, I slowly stir in water, scraping up all those browned bits stuck to the bottom — those little treasures add rich flavor. Next, I stir in beef base, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and the herbs and spices, before returning the seared beef to the pot.
Step 4: Slow Cook in the Oven for Tenderness
Once everything’s combined, I bring the pot to a simmer, cover it tightly, and pop it into a preheated 325°F oven for 90 minutes. This low and slow method turns the sirloin into buttery tender bites that practically dissolve on your tongue. While the beef braises, this is the perfect time to cook your noodles separately so they stay firm and fresh.
Step 5: Cook the Noodles Separately
I boil salted water and cook the egg noodles just until al dente—checking a couple minutes before the package’s suggested time so they don’t get mushy. Once drained, if the beef isn’t ready, I drizzle a little olive oil on the noodles to keep them from sticking together. Separately cooking the noodles avoids the dreaded “mushy noodle” problem and keeps this soup perfectly textured.
Step 6: Finish the Soup on the Stove
After the beef comes out tender from the oven, I transfer the pot to the stove. Here, I whisk together half and half with cornstarch, then stir this into the hot soup along with fire roasted diced tomatoes. I simmer gently until the soup thickens — which takes about 3 minutes — and add frozen peas in the final minute to keep their color and crunch.
Step 7: Combine and Season to Taste
Finally, I stir the cooked noodles into the soup, season with salt and pepper to taste, and if I have fresh parsley on hand, I sprinkle some over the top for a burst of color and fresh flavor. Then it’s ready to serve!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve found a few little secrets that really help this Beef Noodle Soup Recipe shine — these are the tips you won’t want to miss if you want to impress your family or friends with a bowl full of cozy goodness.
- Don’t Skip Searing: Take your time browning the beef well — those flavorful crusts build the rich foundation of the soup.
- Cook Noodles Separately: Adding noodles directly to the soup can make them soggy and mushy, so cook and combine them at the end.
- Slow Oven Braise: Low and slow in the oven makes for melt-in-your-mouth beef; don’t rush this step by trying to speed-cook.
- Use Half and Half for Creaminess: It’s light enough to keep the soup silky without being heavy — plus, it thickens perfectly with cornstarch.
How to Serve Beef Noodle Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep the garnishes simple — a sprinkle of fresh parsley brightens the bowl and adds a fresh herbal kick that complements the rich broth. Sometimes I add a dash of freshly ground black pepper or a squeeze of lemon juice if I want a little extra zing.
Side Dishes
This soup is a hearty meal on its own, but I love pairing it with crusty bread or garlic toast to soak up every last drop of broth. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette also balances the richness nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy dinner party, I’ve served this Beef Noodle Soup in rustic earthenware bowls with a side of warm breadsticks wrapped in linen napkins — it’s simple but feels special. You can even ladle the soup into mini bread bowls for a fun twist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover soup in an airtight container in my fridge for up to 4 days. If I’ve already combined the noodles with the broth, I find that they absorb a lot of liquid overnight, so sometimes I prefer to keep them separate if I know I’ll be saving some for later.
Freezing
Freezing this soup is best done before adding the noodles and using evaporated milk instead of half and half to avoid curdling. When I freeze it, I cool the soup completely, then store it in freezer-safe containers for up to three months. Upon thawing, I always cook fresh noodles to add in just before serving to preserve texture.
Reheating
To reheat, I slowly warm the soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring gently so the dairy doesn’t separate. Then I stir in freshly cooked noodles just before serving. This method keeps everything creamy and delicious without losing that fresh homemade taste.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While top sirloin is ideal for its tenderness and flavor, chuck roast or brisket can also work wonderfully if cooked slowly. Just adjust the cooking time to ensure the beef becomes tender.
Cooking noodles separately prevents them from overcooking and getting mushy in the broth. Adding noodles at the end keeps their texture perfect and allows them to soak up just the right amount of soup when combined.
Yes! You can follow the recipe up through Step 5 on the stove, then transfer everything to a slow cooker with a bit less water and beef concentrate. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours until the beef is tender, then finish the soup with the dairy and tomatoes afterward.
Reheat the soup slowly on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring gently to prevent the dairy from curdling. Cook fresh noodles and add them just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Beef Noodle Soup Recipe is one of those dishes I keep returning to whenever I want something hearty, cozy, and reliably delicious. It’s approachable enough for weeknights but special enough to impress guests, and I hope it brings you the same warm satisfaction it has brought me and my family over the years. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite comfort meal.
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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
A rich and satisfying Beef Noodle Soup featuring tender seared sirloin cooked in a savory broth with vegetables, thickened with a creamy half and half mixture, and served with perfectly cooked egg noodles. This comforting soup combines slow-baked beef with aromatic herbs and fire-roasted tomatoes, making it a perfect meal 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 (or 5 cups reduced sodium beef broth, omit beef base if using broth)
- 2 tablespoons beef base or beef bouillon (crush cubes if using)
- 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 the oven to 325 degrees F to prepare for slow 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 until very hot. Add half the beef and sear until each side is deeply golden, about 4 minutes total. Remove with a slotted spoon and repeat with the remaining beef, leaving drippings in the pot. Set beef aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Melt 2 tablespoons butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil in the beef drippings over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté until onions are softened, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds.
- Make Roux: Reduce heat to medium. Stir in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until the raw flour smell disappears, stirring constantly.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Reduce heat to low. Gradually stir in water (or beef broth if using), scraping up browned bits on the pan bottom. Add 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 the pot to a simmer, cover, and transfer to the oven. Bake for 90 minutes or until beef is tender. Start cooking egg noodles in salted boiling water during the last 20 minutes of baking.
- Cook Noodles: Cook egg noodles separately until just al dente, drain, and drizzle lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking if beef isn't done cooking yet.
- Add Cream and Tomatoes: Remove pot from the oven and transfer to the stovetop. Whisk half and half with cornstarch until smooth, then stir into the soup along with fire roasted diced tomatoes. Heat gently until thickened, about 3 minutes. Add frozen peas during the last minute of cooking.
- Combine and Season: Stir in cooked noodles and season soup with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.
Notes
- Broth substitution: Replace water with 5 cups reduced sodium beef broth and omit the beef base for a richer flavor.
- Slow cooker method: After step 5, transfer contents to a slow cooker using 4 cups water and 1 ½ tablespoons beef concentrate. Cook on HIGH for 4-6 hours or LOW for 8-10 hours until beef is very tender. Then proceed with adding cream and other remaining steps.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Meal prep options: Prepare entire recipe in advance and reheat, or refrigerate separated components for quick assembly. Alternatively, prepare through adding beef to soup, refrigerate covered, then bake the next day.
- Freezing: Avoid freezing the whole soup to prevent texture changes in noodles and cream. Freeze soup base separately with evaporated milk instead of half and half. Thaw overnight and add freshly cooked noodles when serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 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: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
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