Description

This One Pot French Onion Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring deeply caramelized onions, garlic, and thyme simmered with pasta in beef broth, then finished with creamy heavy cream and melted Gruyère or Swiss cheese. Perfect for an easy yet elegant weeknight dinner, this recipe combines the rich, savory tastes of classic French onion soup in a convenient one-pot pasta format.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
8 oz pasta (such as fettuccine or linguine)
4 cups low-sodium beef broth
½ cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Chopped parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

Heat fat and caramelize onions: In a large deep skillet or pot, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions along with a pinch of salt. Cook slowly, stirring often, for 20 to 25 minutes, until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown.
Add aromatics and vinegar: Stir in the minced garlic, thyme, and balsamic vinegar. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to blend the flavors and loosen the fond from the pan.
Add pasta and broth: Add the uncooked pasta directly to the pot, then pour in the low-sodium beef broth. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Simmer pasta: Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 10 to 12 minutes.
Finish with cream and cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese. Continue to stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy and well combined.
Season and serve: Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley for a fresh finish.

Notes

For extra richness, add a splash of white wine after caramelizing the onions and before adding the pasta.
This dish pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a simple green salad.
To make this vegetarian, substitute the beef broth with vegetable broth.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: French-Inspired