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Delicious bowl of French Onion Soup Pasta topped with melted cheese.

French Onion Soup Pasta

A comforting pasta dish that combines the classic flavors of French onion soup with tender pasta and gooey cheese, perfect for family dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: French, Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 oz pasta (your choice, fettuccine or penne recommended)
  • 1 tbsp salt (for the pasta water)
For the Onion Sauce
  • 3 large onions (thinly sliced)
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tsp sugar (to help caramelize the onions)
  • 1 tsp thyme (dried or fresh)
  • 4 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option) Opt for high-quality, low-sodium broth.
  • 1 cup dry white wine (or additional broth)
  • to taste salt and pepper
For the Topping
  • 1.5 cups Gruyère cheese (shredded; mozzarella can be substituted)
  • Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Start by cooking your pasta according to the package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sprinkle with sugar. Stir occasionally, cooking until the onions are caramelized, about 20 to 25 minutes.
  3. Add minced garlic and thyme to the onions, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
  4. Pour in the white wine, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Allow the wine to simmer for about 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Stir in the beef broth and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and let it cook for another 10 minutes.
  6. Combine the cooked pasta with the onion sauce in the skillet, tossing to ensure the pasta is well coated.
Finalizing
  1. Preheat your oven's broiler. Transfer the pasta to an oven-safe dish, and sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the top.
  2. Place the dish under the broiler for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
  3. Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.

Notes

Caramelization is key for enhancing the onions' natural sweetness. For a vegetarian option, replace the beef broth with vegetable broth and use vegetarian cheese. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.