One-Pot French Onion Pasta
Tender rigatoni simmered in deeply caramelized sweet onions, beef bone broth, white wine, and bubbling melted Gruyère cheese.
In a nutshell: This authentic french-american one-pot french onion pasta comes together in just 55 mins using simple whole ingredients. The chef's secret is to Do not rush caramelizing the onions. Low, slow browning over 25 minutes develops the natur. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.
Everything you love about classic French onion soup transformed into a decadent, weeknight-friendly pasta dinner. Thinly sliced onions are slow-caramelized to golden jammy perfection, deglazed with dry white wine, and simmered with rigatoni in rich beef broth. Finished with heavy cream and a broiled blanket of gooey Gruyère cheese.
Key Equipment
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- Large Dutch oven or deep braiser
- Wooden spoon
- Cheese grater
Chef's Pro-Tips
- Patience with onions: Do not rush caramelizing the onions. Low, slow browning over 25 minutes develops the natural sugars that make this recipe iconic.
- Use quality Gruyère: Freshly grated Gruyère cheese provides the distinct nutty, melty flavor signature of authentic French onion soup.
- Starch emulsification: Cooking the pasta directly in the broth releases starches that naturally thicken the sauce without flour.
Ingredients
6
servings
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3 large yellow or sweet Vidalia onions, peeled and thinly sliced
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3 tbsp unsalted butter, for slow caramelizing
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1 tbsp olive oil, prevents butter from burning
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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½ cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
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4 cups beef bone broth, rich and deeply savory
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12 oz rigatoni or penne pasta, uncooked
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½ cup heavy cream, or crème fraîche
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1 ½ cups Gruyère cheese, freshly shredded
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½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
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1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
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1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, for rich depth
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Caramelize Onions
Melt butter and olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sliced onions with a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes until onions turn soft, deep golden brown, and jammy.
Deglaze Pan
Add minced garlic and fresh thyme, cooking for 1 minute. Pour in white wine, scraping up all flavorful brown bits from bottom of pan. Simmer until wine reduces by half.
Cook Pasta in Broth
Stir in uncooked rigatoni, beef bone broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered for 12-14 minutes, stirring often, until pasta is al dente and sauce is reduced.
Add Cream & Parmesan
Stir in heavy cream and grated parmesan until glossy and creamy.
Melt Gruyère & Serve
Sprinkle shredded Gruyère generously over the top. Cover with lid for 2 minutes (or place under oven broiler for 3 minutes) until cheese is bubbling and melted. Serve hot with fresh thyme!
Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks
Kitchen EssentialsAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack
Warp-resistant aluminum for even browning, from sheet-pan dinners to cookies.
View on AmazonVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife
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Teak spoons gentle on cookware and built for daily stirring.
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Silicone whisks safe for nonstick pans, in two sizes.
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Stainless racks that fit half sheets – for cooling bakes and crisping roasts.
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Six speeds with a snap-on storage case for the beaters.
View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Yes! Swap the beef broth for rich mushroom broth or roasted vegetable stock with 1 tsp soy sauce for deep umami.
Rigatoni, penne, or paccheri are fantastic because the hollow centers trap the caramelized onions and cheese.
Substitute additional beef broth plus 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce or balsamic vinegar for acidity.