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If you’re craving a cozy, no-fuss dinner that comes together fast, this Creamy Instant Pot French Onion Beef and Noodles is the answer. It’s rich with flavor, made in one pot, and perfect for busy nights when you need something hearty on the table—without hovering over the stove.
Why you’ll love this Beef and Noodles Recipe
I still remember the day I pulled my Instant Pot out of the box—nervous, excited, and curious what all the hype was about. This beef-and-noodles recipe was one of the first things I tried. I didn’t want fancy. I just needed something simple that could feed my people without a lot of steps or cleanup. That first batch wasn’t perfect (too much liquid), but the bones were there—and the family cleaned their plates.
So I tweaked it until it hit that sweet spot: creamy, comforting, and easy enough for a busy weeknight. Now it’s one of those dinners I keep coming back to. And I think you will too.
Here’s what makes it a keeper!
❥ Flavor: Savory, rich, and a little creamy with that French onion depth—it tastes like it simmered all day.
❥ Ease: One pot, simple steps, and no complicated ingredients.
❥ Family-Friendly: Kid-approved, husband-approved, and easy to customize.
❥ Weeknight-Ready: From start to finish in about 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
NikkiIngredients for Instant Pot Ground Beef with Noodles
- Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Simple seasonings that bring out the beef’s flavor—adjust to taste.
- Garlic Powder: Adds depth without needing fresh garlic.
- Beef Broth: Creates a rich, savory base and provides the liquid needed for pressure cooking.
- Water: Helps balance the saltiness from the broth and soup.
- French Onion Soup: Brings bold, savory onion flavor. Use a condensed version for best results.
- Wide Egg Noodles: Cook well under pressure and absorb the flavors without getting mushy.
- Sour Cream: Adds creaminess and a slight tang that balances the richness of the dish.
- Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce smooth and helps it thicken slightly after cooking.
How To Make Instant Pot Creamy French Onion Beef and Noodles
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Brown the Beef
Set the 6-quart Instant Pot to the ‘Sauté’ setting. Add the ground beef, salt, black pepper and garlic powder. Cook for about 7 to 10 minutes, or until the beef is browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed.
Step 2 | Add Liquids and Noodles
Pour in the beef broth, water, and French onion soup. Add the noodles on top and gently stir just to combine.
Step 3 | Pressure Cook
Secure the lid, making sure it’s in the locked position, and turn the valve to ‘Sealing.’ Set to Manual (or Pressure Cook) on High for 5 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure before cooking begins.
Step 4 | Quick Release and Finish
Once the cook time ends, carefully turn the valve to ‘Venting’ to release pressure.
Open the lid and stir in the sour cream and heavy cream until smooth and well combined.
Leave on ‘Keep Warm’ or switch to low ‘Sauté’ for 5 to 10 minutes to help the sauce thicken slightly.
Step 5 | Serve
Top with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm.
Variations and Substitutions
- Cheesy Version: Stir in provolone, mozzarella, or your favorite cheese at the end for extra creaminess.
- Different Protein: Swap ground beef with ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Lighter Option: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- No Egg Noodles? Rotini or similar short pasta works, but pressure cooking time may vary slightly.
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Recipe FAQs
Not if you follow the timing as written. Stir gently and avoid overcooking after pressure release.
The float valve will rise, and the timer will begin counting down.
What to Serve with French Onion Hamburger and Noodles
This is already a good filling meal, but it goes great with green beans, corn casserole, and a dinner roll or cornbread muffins.
Some other easy comfort food to enjoy
- Chipped Beef Gravy
- Instant Pot Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
- Crock Pot Country Steak and Gravy
- Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Slow Cooker Cuban Mojo Pork
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Instant Pot Creamy French Onion Ground Beef and Noodles
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Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt - or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper - or to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups beef broth
- 10.5 ounce french onion soup - (tested with Campbell's)
- 12 ounce wide egg noodles
- ⅔ cup sour cream
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Set the 6-quart Instant Pot to the ‘Sauté’ setting. Add the ground beef, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the meat is browned and fully cooked.Drain excess fat if not using lean ground beef or if needed.
- Pour in the beef broth, water, and French onion soup. Add the noodles on top and give it a gently stir everything.
- Secure the lid, making sure it’s set to the locked position, and turn the valve to ‘Sealing.’ Set the Instant Pot to Manual (or Pressure Cook) on High for 5 minutes.It will take about 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure before the cooking time begins.
- Once the cooking time is complete, carefully turn the valve to ‘Venting’ for a quick release of pressure. Carefully remove the lid.
- Stir in the sour cream and heavy cream until smooth and well combined. Leave the Instant Pot on 'Keep Warm' or switch to the low 'Sauté' setting for 5 to 10 minutes to let the sauce thicken slightly.
- Top with chopped parsley and serve.
Notes
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This was delicious! I also caramelized onions, removed them from the IP liner and added them in after it had finished but I think it will taste even better next time with mushrooms instead of the onions. I went with 1.5 lbs of meat and threw in a stray packet of onion soup mix I had and kept all the other measurements the same. Insanely good! Thanks for the recipe!
That sounds amazing! I love mushrooms in anything so that’s going in next time I make it. You are so welcome and I am so glad you enjoyed it.
This recipe is exactly what I was looking for! I love anything French onion. Here is what I did – I caramelized 2 medium onions then removed them and covered them for later. I added the onions back to the pot along with all the other stuff, I did not have beef broth so I just used water, when it was finished cooking I drained all the water out and added another can of French onion soup along with the sour cream and I skipped the milk because I was out. I used San Giorgio Malfalda pasta (from Amazon) This is the best French onion anything I’ve ever eaten! Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you, Kerri! I am so glad you enjoyed and shared your modifications. I love that you used what you had on hand succesfully.
went to make this and realized I only have elbow and bowtie ??? change the time? or wait till have have the ones in the recipe – made this at my sister’s a few weeks ago and liked it – Thank You!
I have not tested with Elbows on this recipe. I would try 4 minutes, that is what I use for IP Mac and Cheese. You can always do another minute if needed.
I assume you drain the grease after doing the ground beef???
This sounds excellent!
I usually use really lean ground beef and leave. If you have a lot you can drain it if desired! Thank you Mary! I hope you enjoy it!
Made this today. Absolutely tasty! Thank you for the wonderful recipe.
The you so much Edee!
I made this tonight. I had bought a larger package of the egg noodles, and I think next time I will use the entire package and also add 1/2-1 pound of hamburger meat. The recipe itself is super easy, it just came our pretty soupy and didn’t thicken as much as I would have liked. But the flavor, was so rich and amazing!
This was a big hit with the whole family! I didn’t have canned french onion soup but I had dry onion soup mix and it worked great! I added more broth and water for my 8 qt pot and it was excellent!
I am so glad it was a hit! That warms my heart! I keep eyeing an 8 qt, but since there are only 3 of us in the household I haven’t made the plunge. I’m glad to know if works out well though! I love that dry soup mix. I have been thinking of trying it with the beefy one to see what it does to the flavors.
Yummy! very very very good my husband wanted more! I made this dish with diced onions and minced garlic when sauteeing the meat. I then added the other ingredients and added parsley, grated parmesan and Romano cheeses.
Thank you so much Dawn! If hubby is happy it’s a big win! I am so glad you enjoyed it! <3
I’m out of noodles can I use spaghetti or anothe pasta. Would time change?
You can use any type of pasta. For this recipe I have only tested with this but I make spaghetti for 8 minutes and elbow pasta for 4 minutes.
Can you use french onion soup mix or does it need to be canned soup?
What brand of French Onion Soup do you use?
I use Campbell’s. I would think any brand would work.
Made this tonight and it was super easy, quick & soooo delicious! Thank you!
I am so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for stopping by to tell me! <3
Where are the ingredient amounts?
They should be visible at the bottom of the page on the recipe card.
This sounds like comfort food to me and so easy to make! Perfect!
Thank you Carlee! It really is a quick dinner full of delicious comfort!