French Onion Pasta
A creamy pasta dish inspired by French onion soup, featuring caramelized onions, savory broth, and melted cheese.
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (spaghetti or fettuccine work well)
- 3 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 2 cup beef or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese (or Swiss cheese)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes until the onions are deeply caramelized.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine, if using, and cook until the liquid reduces by half. Alternatively, skip this step and proceed with broth.
- Stir in the broth and bring to a simmer. Let it reduce slightly for about 5 minutes.
- Add the heavy cream and mix well, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Stir in the Gruyère and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach the desired consistency.
- Garnish with fresh thyme and serve hot.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and substitute the cheese with vegetarian-friendly options.
- Adjust the amount of cream and cheese to suit your desired richness.