Name: French Onion Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted.; 2 tablespoons olive oil.; 3 large yellow onions, sliced thin.; 4 garlic cloves, minced.; 1 tablespoon fresh thyme.; 1/4 cup dry white wine.; 5 cups beef broth, low-sodium.; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.; 12 ounces rigatoni pasta.; 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded.; 1/4 cup heavy cream.; Salt and black pepper.; Fresh parsley for garnish.

A close-up view of tortellini pasta in a creamy brown sauce, garnished with chopped herbs and black pepper. | kitchenscroll.com

My love for French onion soup inspired this cozy pasta creation that's become a regular in my weeknight dinner rotation. The sweet caramelized onions melted cheese and tender pasta come together in one pot creating pure comfort food magic. Every time I make this my kitchen fills with an aroma that brings everyone running to the table.

Kitchen Magic Made Simple

There's something so satisfying about creating a meal in just one pot. As those onions slowly caramelize the whole house smells incredible. When the final touch of Gruyère melts into the pasta creating strings of cheesy goodness you know you've got something special on your hands.

What You Need

Yellow Onions: Three big ones sliced thin they'll cook down into sweet gold.
Butter: Two tablespoons of the good stuff for perfect caramelization.
Broth: Four cups beef or vegetable both work beautifully.
Pasta: Twelve ounces of your favorite long pasta.
Gruyère: One cup freshly grated makes it perfectly creamy.

Making it Happen

Start with the Onions: Let them get cozy with melted butter in your pot. Take your time here about 25 minutes of gentle cooking turns them into sweet golden magic.
Add Some Life: Splash in some broth and scrape up all those flavorful bits from the bottom they're pure gold.
Time for Pasta: Pour in your broth bring it to a bubble then add your pasta. Let it simmer until tender soaking up all that flavor.
Cheese Please: Stir in that beautiful Gruyère watching it melt into creamy perfection. Season it just right and you're done.

A close-up view of pasta in a creamy sauce, garnished with parsley and black pepper. | kitchenscroll.com

The Finishing Touch

Sprinkle on some fresh herbs grab your favorite crusty bread and dive in while it's hot. A simple green salad on the side makes it a complete meal that feels both cozy and special.

Mix It Up

Need Protein? Toss in some shredded chicken or sautéed mushrooms.
Different Cheese? Try Swiss or Parmesan they work beautifully too.
Gluten Free? Just swap in your favorite GF pasta.

Success in Every Bite

The secret to this dish is patience with those onions. Let them take their time getting golden and sweet. Spring for good cheese it makes such a difference and keep an eye on your pasta liquid adding more if needed.

Perfect Pairings

This pasta begs for a crisp green salad and warm crusty bread on the side. Pour yourself a glass of white wine and suddenly Tuesday night feels fancy without any fuss.

A close-up image of creamy pasta with a rich sauce, garnished with fresh herbs. | kitchenscroll.com

Work Ahead

When life gets busy I caramelize my onions ahead of time. They keep beautifully in the fridge for a few days making this dish even quicker to throw together on busy nights.

Saving Some for Later

Tuck any leftovers away in the fridge they'll stay good for about three days. When you reheat just add a splash of broth to bring back that creamy sauce.

Switch Up Your Pasta

While I love long pasta shapes shorter ones work great too. Just adjust your cooking time keeping an eye on the texture as it cooks.

Cheese Options

Can't find Gruyère? Don't worry Swiss or even sharp cheddar can step in. The key is using a cheese that melts smoothly into the sauce.

A close-up of pasta in a creamy sauce, garnished with fresh parsley and black pepper. | kitchenscroll.com

Keep it Plant Based

My vegetarian friends love this with veggie broth. The caramelized onions bring so much flavor you won't miss the beef broth one bit.

Smooth Sailing

Take your time with those onions they're worth the wait. Keep an eye on your liquid levels and make sure your cheese is nicely shredded before adding it to prevent clumping.

Pure Comfort

This dish has everything I love about cooking bringing together favorite flavors in an easy way that makes any night feel special. It's the kind of recipe that becomes a family favorite passed down and cherished.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this vegetarian?: Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. The dish will still have great flavor from the caramelized onions.
→ Why are my onions not caramelizing?: Caramelizing takes time, about 20-25 minutes. Cook on medium heat and stir often to prevent burning.
→ What cheese can I substitute?: While Gruyère gives the most authentic French onion flavor, mozzarella or Parmesan work well too.
→ Can I make this ahead?: The pasta is best served fresh, but leftovers keep for 3 days. Reheat with a splash of broth to maintain creaminess.
→ What kind of pasta works best?: Short pasta like rigatoni, penne, or fusilli work best as they catch the sauce well. Avoid long pasta like spaghetti.

French Onion Pasta