French Onion Pasta
French Onion Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, as needed
- 4 yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 12 ounces short pasta, such as shells or orecchiette
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized, jammy, and golden brown. This process will take approximately 30-40 minutes. Be patient, as this step is crucial for flavor.
⏱️ 35 min
- 2
While the onions are caramelizing, cook the chopped bacon in a separate skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the crispy bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered bacon fat in the skillet.
⏱️ 8 min
- 3
Add the minced garlic to the bacon fat in the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Deglaze the skillet with the dry white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Allow the wine to simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly reduced.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Pour in the beef broth and add the fresh thyme sprigs. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Add the short pasta to the simmering broth. Cook according to package directions until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. The pasta will absorb most of the liquid.
⏱️ 10 min
- 8
Once the pasta is cooked, remove the thyme sprigs. Stir in the previously caramelized onions and the crispy bacon.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Finally, stir in the grated Gruyère cheese until it is melted and well combined, creating a creamy sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 10
Serve the French Onion Pasta hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
French Onion Pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, as needed
- 4 yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 12 ounces short pasta, such as shells or orecchiette
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized, jammy, and golden brown. This process will take approximately 30-40 minutes. Be patient, as this step is crucial for flavor.
⏱️ 35 min - 2
While the onions are caramelizing, cook the chopped bacon in a separate skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the crispy bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered bacon fat in the skillet.
⏱️ 8 min - 3
Add the minced garlic to the bacon fat in the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Deglaze the skillet with the dry white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Allow the wine to simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly reduced.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Pour in the beef broth and add the fresh thyme sprigs. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Add the short pasta to the simmering broth. Cook according to package directions until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. The pasta will absorb most of the liquid.
⏱️ 10 min - 8
Once the pasta is cooked, remove the thyme sprigs. Stir in the previously caramelized onions and the crispy bacon.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Finally, stir in the grated Gruyère cheese until it is melted and well combined, creating a creamy sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 10
Serve the French Onion Pasta hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
⏱️ 1 min