The BEST French Onion Pasta
French onion pasta captures all the rich, caramelized flavor of French onion soup in a creamy, one-pot dinner that’s pure comfort. It’s cozy, deeply savory, and feels like an adult version of mac and cheese, but my kids love this one too.
Servings: 5 servings
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 yellow onions thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme plus more for garnish
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 12 oz short pasta I used this gluten free malfada
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup shredded smoked gouda
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook stirring frequently until browned and caramelized, about 30-40 minutes.3 tbsp olive oil, 3 yellow onions
- Add garlic, thyme, sea salt, and pepper, and cook stirring for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add wine and dijon mustard, then scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to deglaze for about 2 minutes.3 garlic cloves, 1 tbsp fresh thyme, 1 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, 1/2 cup dry white wine, 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- Add pasta and broth. Simmer on medium high for 10-15 minutes until most of the broth is absorbed and the pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally so the pasta doesn't stick to the bottom. You can add a bit of water if the broth evaporates too quickly.12 oz short pasta, 4 cups beef broth
- Stir in heavy cream, smoked gouda, and parmesan, and simmer stirring for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted.1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup shredded smoked gouda, 1/2 cup shredded parmesan
- Taste to adjust seasoning, and serve warm garnish with more thyme.
Video
Notes
- Go slow. True caramelization takes at least 30-40 minutes. Rushing leads to burnt edges and bitter flavor.
- Deglaze as needed. If onions start to stick, add a splash of water, wine, or broth to loosen the fond.
- Use a wide skillet or cast-iron pan. More surface area helps the onions cook evenly and release steam efficiently.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving - makes 5 | Calories: 597kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 1581mg | Potassium: 452mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 632IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 355mg | Iron: 2mg