Description
Creamy one pot French onion pasta blends classic French flavors with comforting Italian cuisine. Caramelized onions, melted cheese, and rich broth create a soul-warming dish you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large onions, thinly sliced
- 8 oz (226 g) pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti)
- 3 cups (710 mL) beef broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 1 cup (240 mL) water
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded Gruyere cheese (or mozzarella)
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp thyme (fresh or dried)
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Melt butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté sliced onions with sugar, salt, and pepper, coaxing them to a deep golden brown, stirring occasionally to develop rich, complex flavors.
- Aromatics Infusion: Introduce minced garlic and thyme to the caramelized onions, allowing their fragrant essence to bloom and intensify the foundational flavors for 1-2 minutes.
- Pasta and Liquid Fusion: Add uncooked pasta directly into the skillet, then pour beef broth and water over the ingredients. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer, ensuring all pasta is submerged.
- Liquid Absorption: Stir occasionally as pasta cooks, allowing it to gradually absorb the flavorful liquid. Manage heat to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking until pasta reaches al dente texture.
- Cheese Transformation: Once pasta is nearly done, incorporate Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until a creamy, luxurious sauce envelops the pasta, creating a velvety texture.
- Finishing Touch: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to brighten the rich dish. Serve immediately while the pasta remains hot and the cheese is perfectly melted.
Notes
- Caramelize Onions Slowly: Take time to develop deep, rich flavors by cooking onions over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and achieve that golden-brown color.
- Control Liquid Absorption: Monitor pasta and liquid ratio carefully to prevent a dry or overly soupy dish, adding more broth if needed during cooking to ensure perfect pasta texture.
- Choose Cheese Wisely: Select high-quality Gruyere and Parmesan for maximum flavor depth; freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly and provides a more intense taste profile.
- Dietary Adaptation Options: Swap beef broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, use gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly meal, or substitute dairy-free cheese alternatives for a vegan adaptation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg