Description
Comfort meets elegance in this French onion pasta, blending caramelized onion richness with creamy cheese and al dente noodles. Savory depths and rustic charm combine, inviting you to savor a delightful culinary journey through classic French-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 oz (226 g) rigatoni or other short pasta
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cups (946 ml) beef broth
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded Gruyere cheese (or Swiss cheese)
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) dry sherry (or red wine or beef broth)
- Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish
Instructions
- Transform sliced onions into a rich, golden delicacy by gently sautéing them in olive oil over medium-low heat. Incorporate sugar, salt, and pepper to enhance caramelization, allowing the onions to develop a deep, sweet complexity over 25-30 minutes.
- Deglaze the pan with sherry, creating a flavorful liquid that lifts the caramelized remnants from the skillet’s surface. Allow the liquid to concentrate and intensify for several minutes.
- Pour beef broth into the skillet and bring to a vigorous boil. Submerge pasta directly into the aromatic liquid, cooking until it reaches a perfect al dente texture while absorbing the surrounding flavors.
- Reduce heat to low and introduce shredded Gruyère cheese, gently stirring until the cheese melts completely, creating a luxurious, velvety sauce that coats each pasta strand. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to balance the dish’s robust flavors.
- Carefully transfer the creamy pasta into serving bowls, crowning each portion with delicate fresh thyme sprigs. Serve immediately to capture the dish’s optimal temperature and texture, ensuring a memorable culinary experience.
Notes
- Caramelize onions slowly and patiently to develop deep, rich flavor without burning them, using low heat and occasional stirring.
- Choose a wide, heavy-bottomed pan like a Dutch oven to ensure even heat distribution and prevent onions from sticking or scorching.
- Swap regular pasta for gluten-free varieties to make this dish celiac-friendly without compromising taste and texture.
- Enhance vegetarian options by replacing beef broth with mushroom or vegetable stock, maintaining the umami depth of the original recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg