Description
Hearty French onion pasta weaves rich caramelized onion flavors with comforting cheesy goodness in a single skillet. Cheese-lovers and pasta enthusiasts discover an easy weeknight dinner that brings classic French bistro charm directly to home kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 12 ounces (340 grams) uncooked rigatoni or other short pasta
- 5 cups (1.2 liters) low-sodium beef broth
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded Gruyere cheese
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) dry white wine (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a large pot over medium heat and gently melt butter, creating a smooth base for transforming raw onions into a rich, golden delicacy.
- Carefully layer sliced onions into the pot, stirring consistently to coax them into a deep, caramel-like transformation that develops complex, sweet undertones over 20-25 minutes.
- Deglaze the pot with a splash of broth, using a wooden spoon to lift those intensely flavored browned bits clinging to the bottom, releasing their concentrated essence.
- Pour remaining broth into the pot, allowing the liquid to reach a vigorous boil before introducing pasta, then immediately reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
- Let the pasta absorb the flavorful liquid, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking, until the pasta reaches perfect tenderness and most liquid disappears.
- Sprinkle shredded Gruyère over the pasta, folding gently to create a luxuriously creamy sauce that envelops each pasta strand with nutty, melted cheese.
- Season the dish with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting to balance the robust flavors of caramelized onions and rich cheese.
- Transfer to serving dishes and garnish with fresh parsley or thyme, adding a vibrant, herbaceous note that cuts through the dish’s richness.
Notes
- Slowly caramelize onions over medium-low heat to develop deep, rich flavor without burning, which requires patience and occasional stirring.
- Choose a heavy-bottomed pot to ensure even heat distribution and prevent scorching during the caramelization process.
- Replace Gruyère with plant-based cheese for a dairy-free version, or swap with vegan alternatives like nutritional yeast for a similar umami profile.
- Enhance the dish’s protein content by adding cooked chicken, crispy pancetta, or plant-based protein like white beans for extra nutrition and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg