One Pot French Onion Soup Pasta
If you love French onion soup, then you’ll adore my easy creamy, cheesy pasta! This French onion soup is a quick 30-minute meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
This French onion soup pasta recipe is an easy weeknight meal version of the classic soup flavors, turned into a rich, creamy, cheesy meatless pasta dish with just 10-minutes of prep time needed.
Whether you’re feeding the family or treating yourself, this one-pot French onion soup pasta hits the spot. Trust me, you’re going to want to add this yummy pasta recipe to your meal plan!
Why You’ll Love My Recipe
- Family-approved and guaranteed to make your kitchen smell amazing!
- Meatless meal that’s both delicious and budget-friendly.
- Quick and easy prep (find more recipes you can prep in 15-minutes or less)
Ingredients
For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below.
- Butter & Olive Oil: Start with a mix of butter and olive oil to gently sauté the onions, which adds great flavor and helps with caramelization.
- Onions & Sugar: Sweet onions slow-cooked until soft and golden are key. A little bit of granulated sugar helps bring out the caramelization.
- Seasonings: Garlic adds depth, thyme adds that herbaceous note reminiscent of classic French onion soup flavor. Salt and pepper round out the dish.
- Beef Broth: The beef broth serves as the savory base for the sauce, with a nod to onion soup. Either regular or low-sodium broth will work.
- White Wine: A splash of wine adds brightness and complexity, helping to deglaze the pan. However, if you prefer not to use the wine, you can substitute additional beef broth.
- Pasta: Choose a short pasta like rigatoni or penne, which can stand up to the sauce.
- Heavy Cream: This is what makes the sauce super creamy and oh-so-very luxurious. Whole milk and a tablespoon of melted butter will do in a pinch.
- Gruyère Cheese: This cheese melts beautifully, adding a nutty, savory richness to the dish. If you can’t find Gruyère, try Swiss cheese as an alternative.
Out of something you need? Check out our free ingredient substitutions printable!
A Note About Gruyère Cheese
I highly recommend using a block of Gruyère cheese and grating yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses have an anti-caking agent that keeps it from sticking together, which means it doesn’t melts as smoothly as freshly grated cheese.
If you don’t care for Gruyère, you can substitute Swiss cheese, but again, it’s best if you shred it yourself.
I don’t like buying an ingredient for just one dish, and I bet you don’t either. I love the flavor of Gruyère cheese so you’ll also find it in my Slow Cooker Potato Soup and Cheesy Ham Pinwheels.
Storage
To Store: Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. (These are my favorite airtight containers.)
To Reheat: Microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals until heated throughout. You can also reheat it in a skillet on medium-low heat. Add a splash of extra cream or broth to help loosen up the sauce if needed.
I do not recommend freezing this dish as the rich, creamy sauce is likely to separate.
Serving Suggestions
Round out your meal with something warm and cozy from the bread basket and a pop of veggies on the side. To balance out the richness of the cheesy pasta, I like to serve this meal with a simple green salad and a bright Lemon Vinaigrette, Roasted Parmesan Broccoli, or Garlicky Green Beans. Add a little extra comfort with Shortcut Italian Breadsticks or Dutch Oven Cheese Bread for the ultimate weeknight dinner combo.
Not ready to make this easy pasta recipe yet?
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French Onion Soup Pasta
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 large sweet onions thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ cup dry white wine or substitute with more broth
- 8 oz pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or cavatappi
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese shredded
- kosher salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat.2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Add the onions and sugar, and cook slowly for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often, until they’re caramelized – they should be soft and golden brown in color.3 large sweet onions, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- Stir in the garlic, cooking for about a minute. Pour in the wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up all that flavorful goodness.2 cloves garlic, ½ cup dry white wine
- Add the beef broth, thyme, and a teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.1 tablespoon fresh thyme, 1 cup beef broth, black pepper, kosher salt
- Meanwhile, cook your pasta according to the package directions. Drain it and save about ½ cup of the pasta water.8 oz pasta
- Stir the cream and cheese into the onions until the sauce is smooth and creamy.½ cup heavy cream, 1 cup Gruyère cheese
- Add the pasta and toss to coat, adding a little pasta water if the sauce feels too thick.
- Taste and add additional salt and pepper to taste as desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- Caramelizing onions takes patience. Keep the heat on medium-low and stir often so they develop a deep golden brown color and deliciously sweet flavor.
- Do not put oil into the pasta water, as it will keep the cheesy onion sauce from sticking to the pasta.
- Reserve a little bit of the pasta water just in case you need to thin out your sauce.
Nutrition
Similar Recipes
Meatless pasta nights? Yes, please! These quick, budget-friendly meals are perfect for busy families who want something satisfying and delicious on the table in a hurry. You’ll love how easy they are to pull together, even on your most hectic weeknights.
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