There’s something incredibly comforting about a bowl of rich, savory soup loaded with tender beef and satisfying noodles. This Hearty Beef Noodle Soup Recipe hits all those cozy notes, combining deep flavors and creamy broth that just wraps around you like a warm blanket on a chilly day.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m genuinely excited to share this recipe with you because it’s both hearty and surprisingly easy to make. The slow oven bake method tenderizes the beef beautifully, while the creamy broth and noodles make every spoonful melt in your mouth.
- Rich and Tender Beef: Searing the sirloin then slow baking locks in flavor and results in unbelievably tender chunks of beef.
- Creamy, Flavorful Broth: The combination of roux, half and half, and fire-roasted tomatoes gives it a luscious texture and depth.
- Separately Cooked Noodles: Cooking noodles apart keeps them perfectly al dente without turning mushy in the soup.
- Customizable and Flexible: You can easily swap broth for water, add veggies, or adapt to slow cooker use.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Hearty Beef Noodle Soup Recipe brings something special, creating a balance between savory, creamy, and hearty textures. I recommend choosing quality sirloin for tenderness and real flavor, and fire-roasted tomatoes add a smoky brightness that lifts the soup beautifully.
- Top sirloin steak: Lean enough to stay tender but flavorful when seared.
- Egg noodles: Their sturdiness holds up well against the rich broth without falling apart.
- Unsalted butter & olive oil: These fats add a silky mouthfeel and deepen the flavor of sautéed veggies.
- Onion, carrots, celery: Classic base that builds hearty soup flavor with natural sweetness and aromatics.
- Garlic and red pepper flakes: Add just the right kick without overpowering the comforting broth.
- Flour: For the roux to thicken the broth, giving it body and creaminess.
- Water or beef broth with beef base: Creates a rich, beefy foundation.
- Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard: These layers of umami make the broth deeply savory and complex.
- Dried herbs & paprika: Bring warmth and earthiness to every bite.
- Half and half or evaporated milk: Adds creaminess without heaviness.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the broth without clumping.
- Fire roasted diced tomatoes: Give a smoky acidity that cuts through the creaminess perfectly.
- Frozen petite peas: A pop of sweetness and color added last so they stay tender crisp.
Make It Your Way
I love how flexible this Hearty Beef Noodle Soup Recipe is—you can easily tweak it to suit your tastes or pantry. Personally, I sometimes throw in mushrooms or swap the herbs to mix things up, and it always turns out amazing.
- Variation: Once, I added a splash of red wine right before baking, which gave the broth an extra depth that was heavenly.
- Dietary tweak: For a dairy-free version, swap the half and half for coconut milk and skip the butter.
- Slow cooker: This soup is fantastic slow-cooked if you want to prep it earlier and come back to a flavorful meal ready to go.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Hearty Beef Noodle Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Beef to Lock in Flavor
Start by seasoning your chopped sirloin with salt and pepper right on the cutting board—that helps get an even coating. Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven until it's smoking hot, then sear half the beef, turning so each side is deeply golden (about 4 minutes). Remove with a slotted spoon and repeat with the rest. Leaving those tasty browned bits in the pot adds so much flavor to the soup later on.
Step 2: Build Your Flavor Base with Veggies
In the same pot with those lovely beef drippings, melt butter and olive oil. Add chopped onions, carrots, and celery, cooking until the onions soften and the veggies start to sweeten—about 8 minutes. Toss in minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes and cook just 30 seconds more to avoid burning the garlic but still infuse the heat.
Step 3: Make the Roux and Add Broth
Lower the heat and sprinkle in the flour, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until the flour smell cooks out. Slowly pour in water (or broth) while scraping up those browned bits from the bottom. This is key—it adds depth and richness that makes this soup unforgettable. Stir in the beef base, Worcestershire, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and your herbs. Mix in the seared beef too.
Step 4: Bake for Tender, Melt-in-Your-Mouth Beef
Cover the pot and slide it into a 325°F oven for about 90 minutes. This slow, gentle bake transforms the beef into buttery-tender morsels. Around 20 minutes before it’s done, get your pasta water boiling and cook the egg noodles until just al dente, then drain and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking if the soup needs the full baking time.
Step 5: Finish with Cream and Fresh Veggies
Once the beef is tender, bring the pot back to the stove. Whisk together the half and half with cornstarch and stir into the soup along with fire roasted tomatoes. Let it simmer gently until thickened, about 3 minutes—add the frozen peas in the last minute to keep their vibrant color and bite.
Step 6: Combine and Serve
Stir in the noodles, taste, then add salt and pepper to your liking. If you want to be fancy, garnish with some fresh chopped parsley. Then, dive in and enjoy the warmth and heartiness you just created!
Top Tip
From my many kitchen attempts, I’ve learned there are little tricks that make this Hearty Beef Noodle Soup Recipe shine every single time. These are the tips I wish I knew when I first tried it:
- Sear Beef in Batches: Crowding the pan steams the meat instead of browning it, so give the beef space for that perfect caramelized crust.
- Don’t Overcook Noodles: Cook pasta just shy of package time and keep it separate so noodles stay tender and don’t get mushy after rewarming.
- Slow Bake for Tenderness: Baking at a lower temperature for a longer time tenderizes beef better than stove-top simmering for this recipe.
- Whisk Half & Half Before Adding: Mixing the cornstarch into the cream first prevents lumps and gives the broth that luscious creamy finish.
How to Serve Hearty Beef Noodle Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I like topping this soup with fresh parsley—it adds a bright, herbal note that cuts through the richness. Sometimes I sprinkle a little grated Parmesan or a dash of cracked black pepper on top. If you want a bit more crunch, toasted garlic bread crumbs are amazing stirred in.
Side Dishes
With such a full-bodied soup, I usually keep sides simple. A crusty baguette or soft dinner rolls are perfect to soak up every last drop. A crisp side salad with a light vinaigrette helps balance the richness and adds freshness to the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, try serving the soup in individual mini Dutch ovens or rustic bowls, each with a small sprig of thyme or rosemary for flair. You can even swirl a little sour cream or drizzle chili oil on top for a pop of color and extra flavor zing. It never fails to impress guests!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge, where it keeps beautifully for up to 4 days. I usually keep the noodles separate if I know leftovers will be around longer to prevent them from getting too soft.
Freezing
Freezing this soup is trickier because the creamy broth can separate and noodles get mushy. I recommend freezing the soup without noodles—use evaporated milk instead of half and half to improve freeze-thaw stability. When ready to eat, just thaw overnight and add freshly cooked noodles before serving. This approach has saved me lots of disappointment with texture!
Reheating
When reheating, warm the soup gently on the stove over low heat, stirring often. If the broth has thickened too much, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up. Add your cooked noodles after to ensure they’re perfectly tender and not gummy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While top sirloin is perfect for flavor and tenderness, you can use chuck roast or stew meat. Just adjust the cooking time—tougher cuts may need a bit longer to become tender.
Cooking noodles separately helps them stay firm and prevents them from getting mushy or overly soft when reheated. Since the beef is cooked low and slow, boiling noodles in the same pot could toughen the meat and degrade texture.
Yes! I often prepare the soup up to the point before baking and store it in the fridge overnight. Then, baking it fresh the next day keeps the beef tender and the flavors bright. You can also store cooked components separately for easy assembly later.
Definitely! Evaporated milk works well and freezes better if you plan to store the soup. For a dairy-free option, coconut milk or almond milk can be used—just adjust seasoning accordingly to balance the flavors.
Final Thoughts
This Hearty Beef Noodle Soup Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s that perfect mix of comforting, satisfying, and flavorful. I love making a big pot on weekends when I know I’ll appreciate warm leftovers during the week. You’ll find it’s just the friend you want by your side on cold days, too. Give it a try—you’ll thank yourself for cozying up with a bowl (or two!).
Print
Hearty 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 features tender sirloin steak, flavorful vegetables, and egg noodles in a rich, creamy broth. Slow-baked for melt-in-your-mouth beef and enhanced with Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and a medley of spices, this comforting soup is perfect for a satisfying meal any day.
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)
- 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 Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the soup and beef.
- 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 each side until deeply golden, about 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate. Repeat with remaining beef, leaving the drippings in the pot. Set beef aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Melt 2 tablespoons unsalted 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 and add ¼ cup flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until the raw flour smell disappears.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Lower the heat to low. Slowly stir in 5 cups water or beef broth, scraping the browned bits off the bottom of the pot. Stir in beef base, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, dried parsley, oregano, thyme, and paprika. Return the seared beef to the pot.
- Bake Soup: Bring the pot to a simmer, cover, and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 90 minutes, or until the beef is very tender. Start cooking the egg noodles during the last 20 minutes of baking.
- Cook Noodles: Boil egg noodles in salted water until just al dente, checking a few minutes before the package’s recommended time. Drain and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking if the beef is not done.
- Add Cream and Tomatoes: After baking, transfer the pot to the stovetop. Whisk together half and half with cornstarch and stir into the soup along with the fire roasted diced tomatoes. Simmer gently until thickened, about 3 minutes. Add frozen peas in the last minute of cooking.
- Combine and Season: Stir the cooked noodles into the soup. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.
Notes
- Broth Substitute: Replace water with 5 cups reduced sodium beef broth and omit beef base/bouillon for richer flavor.
- Slow Cooker Adaptation: Use 4 cups water and 1 ½ tablespoons beef concentrate. After completing steps up to adding beef to soup, transfer to slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 4-6 hours or LOW for 8-10 hours until beef is tender, then proceed with adding cream and tomatoes.
- Storage: Store soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Meal Prep Options: Prepare entire soup ahead and reheat; or prepare and refrigerate components separately to assemble quickly; or make through adding beef to soup and refrigerate overnight before baking.
- Freezing Tips: Do not freeze the soup with noodles or half and half as texture may degrade. Freeze the soup using evaporated milk instead, without noodles. Thaw overnight and add freshly cooked noodles when reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1 ½ 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: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Leave a Reply