French Onion Pasta (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
2 cups small pasta shapes (mini farfalle, pastina, or orecchiette work perfectly)
02 -
4 large yellow onions, sliced paper-thin
03 -
3 cups rich beef broth
04 -
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 -
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
06 -
2 fresh thyme sprigs (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
07 -
1/4 cup dry white wine
08 -
1/2 cup heavy cream
09 -
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus extra for serving
10 -
Olive oil for cooking
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat a splash of olive oil and butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-low heat. Add your thinly sliced onions and let them cook slowly for 35-40 minutes, stirring frequently, until they turn a beautiful golden brown and become sweet and caramelized. This is the foundation of flavor, so don't rush this step!
02 -
Once your onions are perfectly caramelized, deglaze the pan with white wine (or a splash of beef broth if you prefer). Add the minced garlic and fresh thyme sprigs, letting everything cook together for a few minutes until wonderfully fragrant.
03 -
Add the uncooked pasta directly to the pan along with all the beef broth. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed into the pasta.
04 -
Remove the thyme stems (keep any loose leaves that fell off). Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, cooking just until the cheese melts and the sauce comes to a gentle simmer. The result should be creamy and luxurious.
05 -
Garnish with additional fresh thyme and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. This makes a wonderful side dish or can be turned into a complete meal by adding grilled Italian sausage, salmon, or chicken on the side.
# Notes:
01 -
This comforting pasta dish captures all the rich, savory flavors of classic French onion soup in a one-pot meal that's perfect for busy weeknights.
02 -
The key to this recipe is patience when caramelizing the onions - that slow cooking process develops the deep, sweet flavor that makes this dish special.
03 -
You can easily turn this into a complete meal by serving it alongside your favorite protein like Italian sausage, grilled chicken, or pan-seared salmon.