Description
This French Onion Pasta combines the rich, caramelized flavor of French onion soup with the comforting texture of pasta. Cooked in beef broth and finished with melty Gruyère cheese, this dish is a savory delight. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it’s a great balance of flavors and can be made vegetarian with a simple swap. Serve with fresh thyme for an aromatic touch!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup dry sherry (or red wine or beef broth)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 8 oz rigatoni or other short pasta
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (or Swiss cheese)
- Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet (preferably a Dutch oven or wide pan) over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the onions slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 20-30 minutes, until they are deeply caramelized and golden brown.
- Deglaze the Pan:
- Add the sherry (or red wine or beef broth) to the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Simmer for a few minutes until the liquid has reduced slightly.
- Add Beef Broth and Cook Pasta:
- Pour in the beef broth and bring to a boil.
- Add the pasta to the boiling broth and cook according to package directions until al dente.
- Finish the Dish:
- Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat to low.
- Stir in the shredded Gruyère cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve:
- Divide the pasta between bowls and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Onion Variety: Use a mix of yellow and red onions for a more complex flavor.
- Broth Flavor: For a deeper flavor, use homemade beef broth or high-quality store-bought broth.
- Cheese Options: If you don’t have Gruyère, Swiss cheese or Fontina work well.
- Add Herbs: A bay leaf added to the broth enhances flavor, or sprinkle fresh thyme or parsley at the end.
- Make it Richer: Stir in a tablespoon of butter for extra richness.
- Wine Substitution: Red wine or dry white wine can replace sherry, or use more beef broth.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace beef broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 45mg