Creamy French Onion Pasta with 10 Simple Ingredients | Amazingly Easy.

Introduction.

Do you know what that wonderful smell is like when you go to a cozy French restaurant? That smell often comes from slow-cooked caramelized onions. Today I'm going to show you how to make that amazing aroma and quality taste of French onion pasta at home very easily.

Would you believe me if I told you I found this recipe by accident? I had some caramelized onions left over from making soup the other day, and I didn't want to waste them. So I added those caramelized onions to the pasta. The result is truly amazing, and it's a much tastier meal than I could have imagined.

The best part about this French onion pasta is that it uses simple ingredients, and you can cook it in about 30 minutes. This recipe is perfect for busy days. And when you want a different, special-flavored meal, this recipe is the ideal choice.

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Ingredients.

Here's what you'll need to make this amazing French onion pasta:

• 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta. (something that holds sauce well)
• 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced. (about 3 pounds total)
• 3 tablespoons butter.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• 1 teaspoon salt. (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
• 1/2 cup dry white wine. (or beef broth if you prefer)
• 1 cup heavy cream.
• 1 cup freshly grated Gruyère cheese.
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves. (or two teaspoons dried)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced.
• 2 bay leaves.
• Fresh parsley for garnish. (optional but pretty)

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Kitchen Tools Required.

Don't worry – you probably have everything you need already:

• Large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven.
• Large pot for boiling pasta.
• Wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula.
• Colander for draining pasta.
• Sharp knife for slicing onions.
• Cutting board.
• Measuring cups and spoons.

Step-by-Step Guide to making French onion pasta.

Step 1: First, take a large pot, fill it with water, and add a little salt. Then, place the pot on the stove and keep the heat on medium. It’ll take about 10 to 12 minutes to boil — while you’re waiting, you can get started on the next step.

Step 2: While the water is heating, slice the onions as desired. Cut each onion in half lengthwise (from the root to the tip). Then slice each half into thin half-moon shapes. The onions you cut don't have to be perfect. Slight variations can make the dish look rustic and attractive.

Step 3: Next, warm the butter and olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat. When the butter has melted and foamed, add all the chopped onions. Don't worry if the onions look large. The onions will shrink as they cook. Now add salt and pepper to taste and mix everything well.

Step 4: This step requires a bit of patience. Cook the onions on medium heat for 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally until they turn golden brown and caramelized. If the onions are browning too quickly, reduce the heat. Your kitchen will smell incredible during this step.

(Image by Manfred Richter from Pixabay)

Step 5: Once the pot of water you kept on the stove in the first step is boiling, add the pasta. Cook it until soft, following the instructions on the box. This usually takes between 10 and 12 minutes.

Step 6: Once your onions are caramelized, add the minced garlic, thyme, and bay leaves and cook for about a minute until the garlic is fragrant.

Step 7: If you are using white wine, pour some wine into the pan and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to remove the alcohol.

Step 8: Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken. Remove the bay leaves before you serve this, because no one likes them to be crunchy.

Step 9: After the pasta is cooked, before draining it, save about half a cup of the starchy cooking water. This water will help your sauce become smoother and stick better to the pasta.

Step 10: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the onion mixture. Then mix everything. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the pasta water you saved from the previous step. This helps the sauce stick to the pasta better.

Step 11: As a final step, remove from heat and add a little more gruyère and parmesan cheese and stir. Save some cheese to sprinkle on top when serving. Finally, add salt and pepper to taste if desired.

Cooking Tips.

Tip 1: Don't rush the onions! 20-25 minutes may seem like a long time when you're hungry. But that's what makes this French onion pasta so delicious. If you try to cook it too quickly on high heat, you'll end up with burnt onions instead of the sweet, golden brown flavor you want.

Tip 2: Don't forget to save some of the pasta water! The water you cooked the pasta in is starchy and helps make the sauce smooth and creamy. If your pasta seems dry, add a bit of pasta water until it's just right.

Tip 3: For best results, use freshly grated cheese whenever possible. If you use pre-grated cheese, it contains anti-caking agents that can cause the sauce to become grainy. So always try to use freshly grated cheese, as it will give you an incredible flavor.

Reasons to Try This Recipe.

This French Onion Pasta is warm, comforting, and delicious. The onions are cooked until they are soft and tender, then topped with a creamy sauce and nutty cheese. It's like a comforting, comforting meal in a bowl.

What you might not believe is that it's actually very easy to make, even though it looks fancy. Most of the cooking time is spent browning the onions. So you don't have to spend as much time in the kitchen as you think. It's very versatile. You can serve this French Onion Pasta recipe for a special dinner with your friends. Or you can enjoy it on a regular weekday.

Plus, the best part is that you can make it with ingredients you already have in your kitchen. You don't have to go out and buy disposable items.

Healthier Swaps.

Swap 1: When choosing pasta for this French onion pasta recipe, try using whole wheat pasta instead of regular pasta. They give a nice nutty flavor and also give you more fiber.

Swap 2: If you want to lighten this recipe, you can use half or whole milk instead of heavy cream. The sauce won't be as rich, but it will have a good quality flavor. And the meal will be lighter.

Swap 3: If you want to add vegetables to this French onion pasta, add some sliced ​​mushrooms while the onions are cooking. Mushrooms go well with onions, or you can add fresh spinach at the end. This is a simple trick to make your meal healthier.

How to Cook Pasta Perfectly Every Time.

✅ Advantages of French Onion Pasta.

There are actually a lot of advantages to this French Onion Pasta recipe. The best of them is the time it takes to make it. You can make this recipe in as little as 30 minutes. Also, this recipe is budget-friendly. Onions are cheap, and you probably have all the other ingredients in your kitchen. So you don't need to go shopping.

This French Onion Pasta is an incredible crowd-pleaser. I have never served this recipe to anyone who didn't ask for it! Not only do kids love it because it's pasta and cheese, but even adults enjoy the fresh flavors. The best part is that leftovers don't go to waste and can be reheated to make them even tastier.

❌ Disadvantages of French Onion Pasta.

French Onion Pasta is not a light meal. It is high in carbohydrates and cheese, so it is not a light meal. If you are careful about those things, you can try the simple substitutions I mentioned earlier to make this French Onion Pasta healthier.

Also, this recipe is not suitable when you need a quick and tasty meal, because the onions need time to caramelize to the desired degree. If you are in a hurry, save this recipe for when you have free time.

There is another thing you should know: When making this French Onion Pasta, the smell of onions is very strong. Many people like that smell, but if you find that it doesn't smell enjoyable for a long time, keep a window open in your kitchen.

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Conclusion.

This French onion pasta is now one of my favorite dishes. I make it all the time, and I'm sure you'll love this recipe too. This French onion pasta is elegant enough to serve to guests. But simple enough to make even on a busy day. The combination of sweet onions, cream sauce, and melted cheese is sure to please everyone.

So grab some fresh onions today and try this recipe; it will not only make your kitchen smell great, but it will also make your family very happy.

Learn more another pasta recipe.

FAQs.

1. Question: Can I make this vegetarian?

• Answer: Yes, it's easy! Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. Also, if you use Parmesan cheese, be sure to double-check the label, as some varieties contain animal rennet.

2. Question: What if I don't have Gruyère cheese?

• Answer: No problem. You can use Swiss cheese instead of Gruyère cheese. If you want a different flavor, you can also use sharp cheddar. You can even use Mozzarella, but you will lose the nutty flavor.

3. Question: Can I make something ahead of time?

• Answer: Yes, you can caramelize the onions a few days in advance to get a head start on this French onion pasta recipe. The caramelized onions can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. When you are ready to cook, heat them, add the cream, and finish the recipe as usual.

4. Question: How do I fix my sauce if it is too thick or too thin?

• Answer: If your sauce is too thick, you can fix it by adding a little pasta water. If the sauce is too thin, simmer it for a few minutes or add a little more cheese and mix.