Name: French Onion Pasta(recipe) Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 3 large yellow onions, sliced into rings 1/8-inch thick; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; 4 garlic cloves, minced; Pinch to 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce; 5 1/2 cups water (or substitute beef broth and omit bouillon); 1 12 oz. can evaporated milk; 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch; 2 tablespoons beef bouillon (granulated, base, or cubes; may omit if using beef broth); 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced (or 1 teaspoon dried); 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced (or 3/4 teaspoon dried); 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1 pound short cut pasta, uncooked (such as orecchiette); 5 ounces freshly shredded Gruyere cheese; 1/4 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese; Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

There's something utterly comforting about pasta bathed in rich, caramelized onion flavors, right? This French Onion Pasta(recipe) Recipe is a game-changer—luxuriously creamy and packed with that deep umami we all crave, without relying on heavy cream. Trust me, once you've tried it, it'll become one of your go-to cozy meals.

A large white bowl filled with cooked orecchiette pasta, all covered in a thick, creamy brown sauce that has a smooth and shiny texture. The pasta pieces are rounded and slightly curved, layered evenly throughout the bowl. Small green herb bits, likely parsley, are sprinkled on top, adding a fresh look with some black pepper flakes visible. A silver spoon is partially buried in the pasta on the right side, with sauce coating its edge. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make French Onion Pasta(recipe) Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve French Onion Pasta(recipe) Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
French Onion Pasta(recipe) Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely smitten with this French Onion Pasta(recipe) Recipe because it nails that deep, savory flavor you'd expect from a classic French onion soup but in a creamy pasta form — all done in one pot! It’s a little bit elegant but so easy to pull off on a weeknight.

One-Pot Wonder: Fewer dishes mean more time to enjoy your meal and less cleanup stress.
Deep, Caramelized Onions: The slow caramelization gives incredible sweetness and richness that makes every bite special.
Luxuriously Creamy Without Heavy Cream: Evaporated milk and a sprinkle of cheese create that velvet texture without heaviness.
Super Versatile: It’s a flexible recipe that you can adapt with different herbs, veggies, or proteins based on what you have.

The image shows a white pan filled with a creamy brown mushroom sauce with many sliced mushrooms visible in the mix. The sauce has a smooth, shiny texture, thick and rich, with small bits of green herbs sprinkled mostly on top, adding a fresh contrast. A gold spoon is partially submerged in the sauce on the left side of the pan, lifting some of the creamy mushroom mixture. The pan is placed on a white marbled surface that contrasts with the warm tones of the sauce. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

What I love about the ingredients here is how each one contributes layers of flavor and texture, making this pasta far from ordinary. A couple of pantry staples come together to create something that tastes gourmet without fuss.

Flat lay of sliced large yellow onions in thin rings, whole uncracked brown eggs, minced garlic cloves in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl with red pepper flakes, a small white bowl with Worcestershire sauce, a small white bowl with reduced sodium soy sauce, a small white bowl with olive oil, unsalted butter in a small white ceramic dish, fresh minced parsley and thyme arranged neatly on the side, dried oregano, paprika, and pepper each in tiny white bowls, uncooked orecchiette pasta scattered naturally, freshly shredded Gruyere cheese and Parmesan cheese each in separate small white bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Yellow Onions: The star ingredient — sliced thin and caramelized slowly for that signature sweetness.
Olive Oil & Unsalted Butter: A combination that helps with caramelization and adding richness.
Garlic: Adds a subtle pungency that complements the onions perfectly.
Red Pepper Flakes: Just a pinch for a gentle kick to excite your palate.
Worcestershire & Soy Sauce: Secret umami bombs that deepen the savory notes.
Water & Beef Bouillon: Forms the broth base — swap the water for beef broth if you want even richer flavor.
Evaporated Milk: Creates creaminess without the heaviness of cream.
Cornstarch: Acts as a thickener, helping the sauce cling to the pasta beautifully.
Herbs & Spices: Thyme, parsley, oregano, and paprika layer in aromatic complexity.
Short Cut Pasta (like Orecchiette): Holds sauce well thanks to its shape and texture.
Gruyere & Parmesan Cheese: The finishing touches for melty, nutty, cheesy goodness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to tweak this French Onion Pasta(recipe) Recipe depending on the season and mood. Sometimes I toss in a handful of sautéed mushrooms or fresh spinach if I want some greens. You really can’t go wrong making it your own.

Variation: Adding cooked shredded rotisserie chicken transforms it into a hearty dinner that even meat lovers will adore.
Dairy-Free Version: Swap out the cheeses for a sprinkle of nutritional yeast and use coconut milk instead of evaporated milk for a creamy alternative.
Spicy Kick: Feel free to amp up the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to wake up your taste buds.
Herb Twist: Try fresh rosemary or sage in place of thyme for a unique aroma that perks up the dish.

Step-by-Step: How I Make French Onion Pasta(recipe) Recipe

Step 1: Caramelize the Onions Slowly, The Heart of the Dish

Start by heating olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add your thinly sliced yellow onions — yes, thin! Using a mandoline really helps get that perfect ⅛-inch thickness so they soften evenly. Stir often, and let the onions gently brown and sweeten over about 40 minutes. Patience here pays off; don’t rush or crank up the heat or you’ll risk burning. The onions should end up a deep golden brown, jammy, and irresistibly sweet.

Step 2: Build Layers of Flavor with Garlic and Seasonings

Once the onions are caramelized, stir in minced garlic, salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Let the garlic cook briefly, about 30 seconds, until fragrant — careful not to burn it. Then add Worcestershire and soy sauce. These two sneaky ingredients pack an umami punch that makes this dish sing. Stir everything together well.

Step 3: Simmer the Broth and Pasta Together

Pour in water, beef bouillon, and your herbs and spices. Bring to a gentle boil before adding the pasta right into the pot. This is where the magic of one-pot cooking happens—you let the pasta cook right in the flavorful broth. Keep an eye on it and stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Keep some pasta water aside before it finishes to adjust consistency if needed.

Step 4: Finish Creamy and Cheesy

Whisk together evaporated milk and cornstarch, then stir it into the pot once the pasta is nearly done. This thickens the sauce and lends a luscious creaminess. Stir in shredded Gruyere and Parmesan until melted and silky. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to your liking.

Top Tip

From my own kitchen experiments, these tips really brought this French Onion Pasta(recipe) Recipe to the next level every time.

Low and Slow on Onions: Don’t rush caramelizing the onions — that patience brings out the depth and sweetness that defines the dish.
Use a Sharp Mandoline or Knife: Evenly thin onion slices cook uniformly, preventing some pieces from burning while others stay raw.
Don’t Skip the Umami Boosters: Worcestershire and soy sauce transform this recipe beyond basic pasta with onions — trust me, they make a world of difference.
Reserve Pasta Water: It’s a handy trick to loosen up your sauce just in case it gets too thick while finishing the pasta.

How to Serve French Onion Pasta(recipe) Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a bright, fresh contrast—it wakes up the rich flavors nicely. Sometimes I add an extra dusting of Parmesan right before serving for that irresistible cheesy finish.

Side Dishes

A crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette complements the richness perfectly. Or, if you want to stick with the French onion theme, serve crispy toasted baguette slices rubbed with garlic and olive oil on the side to scoop up every last bit of sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner guests, I’ve layered this pasta in individual oven-safe ramekins topped with extra Gruyere and broiled briefly for a bubbly, golden crust—boozy Burgundy pairs wonderfully alongside for that rich French bistro vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover French Onion Pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you reheat, add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce—it thickens quite a bit in the fridge.

Freezing

While I haven’t frozen this pasta long term because of the dairy, you can freeze it without cheese and add fresh shredded cheese when reheating. Use a freezer-safe container and consume within 2 months for best quality.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave over low power, stirring frequently. Add a little broth or water to restore creaminess and prevent drying out. That way, it tastes nearly as good as freshly made.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make French Onion Pasta(recipe) Recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Swap the butter for a plant-based alternative, use vegetable broth instead of beef bouillon and broth, replace evaporated milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk thickened with a bit of cornstarch, and use vegan cheese or nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor.

What type of pasta works best?

Short cut pasta like orecchiette or penne works best because their shape holds onto the creamy onion sauce nicely, giving you a good bite of sauce in every forkful.

How long does caramelizing the onions take?

Plan to spend about 40 minutes slowly caramelizing the onions over medium heat. Low and slow is key here to develop the deep sweetness without burning.

Can I add meat or vegetables to this recipe?

Definitely! Cooked shredded chicken, sautéed mushrooms, or fresh spinach added near the end of cooking are all wonderful additions that complement the flavors without overpowering the dish.

Final Thoughts

This French Onion Pasta(recipe) Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it brings the cozy, soulful essence of French onion soup into a surprisingly simple pasta dish. It’s my secret for turning humble pantry ingredients into something that feels truly indulgent. I hope you enjoy making and savoring it as much as I do—and don’t hesitate to make it your own!