One Pot French Onion Pasta Recipe
This One Pot French Onion Pasta combines the rich, caramelized flavors of sweet yellow onions and Gruyère cheese with tender bowtie pasta, all cooked together in a creamy vegetable broth base. It’s an easy, comforting dish that delivers the savory essence of classic French onion soup in pasta form, perfect for a cozy weeknight meal.
- Author: Caleb
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Pasta & Broth
- 8 oz bowtie pasta
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2 medium sweet yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
Dairy & Cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
Others
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add thinly sliced sweet yellow onions and sauté for 15-20 minutes until they become golden brown and caramelized, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Add Garlic and Thyme: Stir in minced garlic and fresh or dried thyme, cooking for 1-2 minutes more until the mixture is fragrant and aromatic.
- Cook Pasta: Add the bowtie pasta to the pot along with the low-sodium vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed the flavors.
- Add Cream: Gradually pour in the heavy cream and let the pot simmer for an additional 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to create a rich, creamy sauce.
- Incorporate Cheese and Season: Stir in the grated Gruyère cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, optionally garnished with extra Gruyère cheese or fresh herbs for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Caramelizing the onions slowly is key to developing deep, rich flavor for the dish.
- Using low-sodium broth allows you to control the saltiness in the final dish.
- If Gruyère is unavailable, Emmental or Swiss cheese can be good substitutes.
- This dish can be made vegetarian by ensuring the vegetable broth is fully plant-based.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream alternative.
Keywords: French onion pasta, one pot pasta, easy pasta recipe, creamy pasta, caramelized onion recipe, Gruyère cheese pasta, vegetarian pasta dish