I want you to take a tasty adventure with an easy dish that will elevate your overall taste – try the French onion pasta recipe.
In this blog post, we will discuss the complete process of preparation of French onion pasta. Later, we will also look at variations, pro tips to level up the taste, storage and freezing tips and much more.
What is a French Onion Pasta?
French onion pasta is delicious with classic French onion flavours and comforting pasta. It is a delightful dish that contains beef broth, caramelized onions, garlic, and creamy Gruyere cheese. The onions provide sweetness and meld perfectly with the cheese sauce.
It is a tasty and rich meal that you can consider for any occasion. You can serve it with your favourite pasta and garnish with fresh parsley.
French Onion Pasta Recipe Tips
- Caramelize the onion powder: Cook the onion over medium heat until golden brown. It may take around 20-25 minutes and also make sure to stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Cook the pasta well: Make sure to cook the pasta until it’s just right, not too soft. Cooking it for a long time may be mushy when you add the sauce.
- Reserve pasta cooking water: Make sure to reserve the cooking pasta water before draining the pasta. This starchy water can make the sauce stick better to the pasta.
- Season the sauce well: Make sure to season the sauce with salt and pepper to ensure it is flavorful and well-balanced.
- Customize with additional toppings: You can also customize the pasta with your preferred toppings like chopped herbs, crispy bacon, or parmesan cheese for a flavorful twist.
Variations
- Vegetarian version: You can go for a vegetarian version of the French onion pasta. So, instead of using beef broth, you can use vegetable broth. You can also add some cooked mushrooms for extra texture and flavour.
- Protein addition: You can take your pasta to the next level by including chicken, sausage etc. You just need to prepare them separately and then add them to the pasta with the sauce.
- Herb Infusion: You can make the onion pasta refreshing by including fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme in the sauce while it is cooking. Before serving, you can also include chopped parsley for an extra kick.
- Spiced up: You can also make the French onion pasta spicy by including red pepper flakes or sliced jalapenos in the sauce. It works well with the sweetness of the caramelized onions.
- Gratineed Finish: Put the pasta onto a baking sheet, add more cheese and cook it until it is golden brown and bubbly. This topping of cheese makes the dish even more tasty.
What to Serve
- Green Salad: You can try a green salad with green leaves, cucumber, tomatoes, and tangy dressing to provide a great balance to the pasta.
- Garlic bread: You can also try garlic bread that goes perfectly with the French onion pasta. The butter infused with the garlic provides extra flavour to the meal.
- Steamed vegetables: You can try steamed vegetables like green beans, broccoli, or carrots with the French onion pasta. They provide a great contrast to the pasta.
- Caprese Salad: You can also try Caprese Salad with basil, juicy tomatoes, balsamic glaze and soft mozzarella cheese as a refreshing side dish that goes well with the pasta.
- Grilled chicken or Steak: For an extra boost of protein, you can try steak or grilled chicken with the onion pasta. Season the meat with spices and herbs that go perfectly with the flavour of the pasta.
Storing and freezing
Storing
- Let the pasta cool at room temperature. Transfer the pasta into a sealable plastic bag or air-tight container.
- You can store the pasta in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing
- Before freezing, make sure to cool the French onion pasta at room temperature.
- You can also divide the pasta into individual serving sizes.
- Put each serving into the air-tight container by removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Make sure to label the container or the bags with the date to keep track of the freshness.
- Freezing the French onion pasta can last up to 2-3 months.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the French onion pasta adds delicious French flavours with comforting pasta to make a delicious and fulfilling dish. By cooking the onions until sweet, including gruyere cheese and mixing in garlic and beef broth this recipe takes an ordinary pasta to the next level.
So, next time if you are craving a cozy and fancy meal, make sure to try the French onion pasta. It is delicious and creamy and sure to become a favourite meal for you.
Read More:- Pasta House Salad Recipe
French Onion Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces about 225g pasta of your choice (such as penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 large onions thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Gruyère cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- First of all, prepare the pasta until well cooked according to the package instructions. Drain and keep aside, reserving around ½ cup of pasta cooking water.
- In a large pan, melt the butter over medium flame. Add thin sliced onions and stir occasionally until golden brown and caramelized, it may take around 20-25 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the onions and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until smells nice.
- Sprinkle the flour on the garlic and onions, and then mix it in. Cook it for one-two minutes to get rid of flour taste.
- Add the beef broth while stirring to avoid lumps from foaming. Allow it simmer gently and cook for 2-3 minutes until it is slightly thickened.
- Mix the heavy cream and shredded Gruyere cheese until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth. Adjust the salt and pepper as per your liking.
- Add the cooked pasta into the frying pan with the French onion sauce. Toss it well, until the pasta is evenly coated, if the sauce is very thick, you can include pasta cooking water to make it thinner.
- It’s time to serve the French onion pasta by garnishing it with chopped fresh parsley.
