This creamy French onion pasta is made with perfectly caramelized onions and gruyere cheese and comes together in just 30 minutes! It’s like delicious French onion soup, but in pasta form! This easy pasta recipe is the perfect comfort food for a weeknight meal.
When I saw a version of this cheesy French onion pasta recipe go viral on Tiktok, I knew immediately I had to try it. I mean, I love pasta and I adore French onion soup, so I knew this would be right up my alley.
It’s sweet, caramelized onions and perfectly cooked pasta swimming in a seasoned cheesy, creamy sauce. And the flavor of this dish is so amazing you won’t believe how simple it is to make!
And I’m not the only one who loves this recipe. My whole family asks me for this delicious dish again and again. I guess TikTok isn’t the only place where this French onion pasta has gone viral.
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❤️ Why you'll love this french onion pasta
- Whole Family - This pasta recipe is one that both kids and adults will love!
- Quick - It’s made in just 30 minutes. Great and simple recipe for weeknight meals.
- Cozy - French onion soup is a standard comfort food recipe, as is pasta. Put them together and you have the coziest comfort food around!
🧅 Ingredient notes
- Onions - Yellow onions or sweet vidalia onions are best for this dish. They’re sweeter, packed with flavor, and they caramelize really well. White onions can be used if needed, the flavor will just be more mild.
- Stock - Homemade beef stock adds a ton of flavor and richness. Store-bought beef stock or broth can also be used. Make sure to get one with minimal preservations in it or at least a low-sodium option so the sauce doesn't get too salty.
- Pasta - I like to use rigatoni when I make this. Other short pastas like penne, ziti or bowtie also work.
- Cheese - Gruyere is a hard Swiss cheese that is the typical choice for French onion soup. It is sweet and slightly salty and pairs perfectly with the sweet caramelized onions. Gouda, fontina or Jarlsberg cheese can be used as a substitute.
📋 Substitutions and variations
- Extras - There are so many delicious ways you can add to this already amazing dish. Add sautéed mushrooms, grilled chicken or shrimp or roasted veggies!
- Vegetarian - Use vegetable broth instead of beef stock.
- Gluten-Free - Simply substitute your favorite gluten-free pasta and follow the recipe instructions as they are written.
🔪 Step by step instructions
Cook your pasta in salted, boiling water according to the package directions until it is al dente.
While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Once the butter melts and the pan is hot, add the onions, salt, pepper, and vinegar. Stir or toss to combine.
When the pasta has finished cooking, drain it and set it aside.
While the pasta is cooking, saute the onions, stirring frequently, for 12-15 minutes until they are a deep golden brown color. They should be softened but still have a slight bite to them.
Add the fresh thyme leaves and continue to saute for 1 minute. Deglaze the pan by adding the beef stock and scraping the bottom of the pan to remove any stuck-on bits.
Add the heavy cream and gruyere cheese to the sauce and remove the pan from the heat.
Stir the sauce until the cheese is melted and then toss with the drained pasta. Serve with some extra gruyere cheese on top, if you like.
If you ever don't recognize a tool or skill that is mentioned, be sure to look it up in our Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information.
⭐ Expert tips
- Slice the onions thin and evenly. That way they cook evenly and caramelize more quickly.
- Don’t rush the onions and stir them frequently to prevent burning. They should be softened but not mushy. They should also still have a little bite and be a deep golden brown color.
- Cooking the pasta to al dente will ensure your dish is not mushy.
🍴How to serve french onion pasta
Bread - A crusty Italian bread is always great with pasta. Since it takes a bit of time, garlic cheese bread or parmesan bread bites are other quick options that would pair well.
Vegetables or Salad - Vegetables or a green salad can help break up the heaviness of pasta. An arugula salad is light and pairs well, or sautéed green beans or grilled broccolini would also be delicious!
Soup - Soup is another great option to pair with pasta. Try creamy tomato soup or slow cooker minestrone to complete your meal!
Dessert - A great cozy meal like this is always complete when you finish it off with a tasty dessert. Chocolate whiskey brownies or a blueberry crostata are both easy desserts that would be great!
🥡 Storage suggestions
Store any leftover pasta in an airtight, well-sealed container. Stored properly, leftover pasta will last 3-5 days in the fridge.
Reheat refrigerated leftovers in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until warmed through completely.
You can also reheat in a pot or saute pan on the stovetop on low heat until it’s creamy and warmed through.
Either way you choose to reheat, I like to add a little extra cream in the dish or the pan before reheating to make sure it doesn’t dry out.
💭 Frequently asked questions
Gruyere is a hard “mountain cheese" from Switzerland. It has a slightly salty and sweet taste to it.
Fontina, gouda, and Jarlsberg are all good substitutes for gruyere cheese in most recipes.
🍝 More easy pasta recipes
If you loved this creamy French onion pasta recipe, check out these other easy pasta recipes that I know you will love too!
📖 Recipe
Creamy French Onion Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced thinly
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- ½ cup beef stock
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1.5 ounces gruyere cheese, freshly shredded (plus extra for serving)
Instructions
- Cook the rigatoni pasta in boiling salted water according to package directions until it is al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat with the butter.
- When the butter melts, add the onions, salt, pepper, and vinegar and toss to combine.
- Continue to saute the onions, stirring frequently, for 12-15 minutes until the onions are a deep golden brown color. They should be softened but still have a slight bite to them.
- Drain the pasta from the cooking water when it's al dente and set aside.
- Add the fresh thyme leaves to the onions and saute for 1 minute.
- Deglaze the pan by adding the beef stock and scraping the bottom of the pan to remove any stuck-on bits.
- Add the heavy cream and gruyere cheese to the sauce and remove off the heat.
- Stir the sauce until the cheese is melted and then toss with the drained pasta.
- Serve with extra gruyere cheese on top, if desired.
Notes
- Extras - Add sauteed mushrooms, grilled chicken or shrimp, or roasted veggies.
- Vegetarian - Use vegetable broth instead of beef stock.
- Gluten-Free - Use gluten-free pasta.
- Leftovers - Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Reheat over low heat on the stovetop or the microwave with a little extra cream.
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