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Viral One Pot French Onion Pasta Recipe

4.9 from 132 reviews

This Viral One Pot French Onion Pasta combines the rich, caramelized flavors of classic French onion soup with hearty rigatoni pasta, all cooked in one skillet for an easy, delicious meal. The dish features sweet, slow-cooked onions, flavorful beef broth, white wine, and creamy Gruyère cheese, creating a comforting and satisfying pasta that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp Salted Butter
  • 2 Large Onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 4 Cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1/4 Cup Dry White Wine

Pasta and Broth

  • 1/2 LB Rigatoni (uncooked)
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 32 Oz Beef Broth (about 4 cups)

Finishing Ingredients

  • 5.3 Oz Le Gruyère® AOP (shredded)
  • 1/4 Cup Heavy Cream

Instructions

  1. Caramelize Onions: Add the butter to a heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add the thinly sliced onions, olive oil, and a generous pinch of salt. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring often, until the onions are soft and starting to brown.
  2. Add Garlic and Thyme: Stir in the minced garlic and dried thyme, cooking for an additional 3 minutes until the garlic is tender and fragrant.
  3. Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the balsamic vinegar and dry white wine to deglaze the skillet, scraping the browned bits off the bottom to incorporate all the flavor.
  4. Cook Pasta in Broth: Add the uncooked rigatoni, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth to the skillet. Stir to combine, ensuring the pasta is submerged. Cover with a lid and simmer over medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the liquid remains too watery after cooking, remove the lid and simmer a few more minutes until it thickens.
  5. Add Cheese and Cream: When the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stir in the shredded Gruyère and heavy cream gently until the sauce is creamy and smooth. Taste and season with flaky salt and freshly ground pepper to preference.

Notes

  • Use a heavy-bottomed skillet or sauté pan for even cooking and to prevent burning while caramelizing the onions.
  • Stir frequently during the onion caramelization step to avoid sticking and ensure even browning.
  • If you want a vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth and omit Worcestershire sauce or use a vegetarian alternative.
  • Gruyère cheese can be substituted with Swiss cheese if unavailable, though it will alter the flavor slightly.
  • For a richer taste, you can add additional herbs like fresh parsley or chives before serving.
  • Make sure to stir occasionally during simmering to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pan or burning.

Keywords: French onion pasta, one pot pasta, caramelized onions, creamy pasta, beef broth pasta, Gruyère cheese pasta, easy weeknight dinner