French Onion Pasta
+3 photos

French Onion Pasta

6 servings
French onion soup collides with cheesy pasta in this flavorful one-pot meal. It’s easy to make and ready in less than an hour.

Ingredients

  • olive oil
    2 tbsp
  • butter
    2 tbsp
  • yellow onions

    thinly sliced 1/4 inch thick

    2 large
  • kosher salt
    ¾ tsp
  • garlic

    chopped

    5 cloves
  • fresh thyme leaves
    1 tbsp
  • dry white wine
    ¾ c
  • low-sodium beef broth
    4 c
  • water
    1 c
  • bay leaves
    2
  • dried orecchiette pasta
    1 lb
  • heavy cream
    ¼ c
  • worcestershire sauce
    1 tbsp
  • grated gruyere or swiss cheese

    plus more for serving, about 3.2 ounces

    1 c
  • freshly ground pepper
    to taste

Directions

  1. 1

    Place a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil and butter. Once the butter has melted completely, add the onions and salt. Cook until the onions soften and release most of their liquid, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.  Reduce the heat to medium and sauté for another 15 to 25 minutes, or until the onions are deeply caramelized. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir frequently so the onions don’t burn.

    Step 1
  2. 2

    Add the garlic and fresh thyme. Mix and cook until the garlic is fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the white wine and use a wooden spoon to scrape and deglaze the bottom of the pot.

    Step 2
  3. 3

    Add the beef broth, water, and bay leaves. Cover with a lid and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the pasta and simmer, uncovered, until al dente, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the pasta doesn’t stick to the pan and is always mostly submerged in liquid.

    Step 3
  4. 4

    Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the heavy cream, Worcestershire, and grated cheese. Remove the bay leaves and season with salt and pepper, to taste. The sauce will thicken as it cools a bit. Top with more cheese before serving. Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    Step 4
French Onion Pasta
+3

French Onion Pasta

55 min6 servings367 cal

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About this Recipe

Imagine the rich, savory depth of French onion soup perfectly blended with comforting, cheesy pasta. This French Onion Pasta brings that dream to life in a truly satisfying one-pot meal, ready in less than an hour.

What makes this French Onion Pasta truly special is how it masterfully combines classic flavors into an easy, approachable dish. The slow caramelization of two large yellow onions, brightened by dry white wine and deepened by rich beef broth, infuses every piece of orecchiette with incredible umami. It's a culinary hug in a bowl, made even better by its one-pot convenience.

From the first bite, you'll experience a symphony of savory and sweet notes from the deeply caramelized yellow onions, complemented by aromatic garlic and fresh thyme. The tender orecchiette pasta cradles the rich, velvety sauce, which is further enhanced by a hint of heavy cream and the tangy complexity of Worcestershire sauce. The star, of course, is the generous inclusion of Gruyere or Swiss cheese, melting into a luxurious finish that evokes the best of French onion soup gratinée.

This hearty entree is designed for cozy nights and will leave you feeling deeply satisfied, yielding 6 generous servings at 367 calories each.

Customization & Variations

  • While Gruyere or Swiss cheese offers that classic French onion flavor, feel free to experiment with other good melting cheeses like provolone. If you don't have dry white wine, a little extra low-sodium beef broth can work in a pinch, though the wine adds a subtle acidity and depth that's hard to replicate. For an even more robust flavor, a pinch of red pepper flakes could be stirred in with the garlic.

This French Onion Pasta is an ideal centerpiece for a comforting weeknight dinner or a relaxed weekend gathering. Serve it warm with a sprinkle of extra grated Gruyere or Swiss cheese and a crack of fresh black pepper for an extra layer of indulgence.

Frequently Asked Questions