If you love the rich, caramelized flavors of French onion soup and the comforting creaminess of pasta, then this One Pot French Onion Pasta is going to be your new obsession! Imagine slurp-worthy pasta coated in a luscious, deeply savory onion sauce, all made in one pot for easy cleanup. It’s indulgent, cozy, and packed with flavor—without the hassle of multiple dishes.
Why You’ll Love One Pot French Onion Pasta
Versatile Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a fancy date night meal.
Budget-Friendly Uses simple pantry ingredients but delivers restaurant-quality taste.
Quick and Easy One pot, minimal cleanup, and ready in just 30 minutes!
Customizable Add protein like chicken, mushrooms, or even crispy bacon to make it heartier.
Crowd-Pleasing A guaranteed hit for anyone who loves classic French onion flavors!
Ingredients
Ingredients in One Pot French Onion Pasta
Here’s why every bite of this dish is packed with bold, deep flavors:
Butter The key to achieving that rich, caramelized onion flavor.
Onions Sweet, golden caramelized onions bring all the deep, savory goodness.
Garlic Adds a fragrant depth to complement the onions.
Thyme Fresh or dried thyme enhances the classic French onion taste.
Beef Broth The secret ingredient that makes the sauce rich and flavorful, just like French onion soup.
Pasta Choose your favorite—fettuccine, linguine, or even rigatoni work well.
Heavy Cream Adds a luxurious, velvety texture to the sauce.
Gruyère Cheese Melts into the pasta, creating a gooey, cheesy bite in every forkful.
Parmesan A final touch of nutty, salty goodness.
Salt & Pepper Essential for balancing all the flavors.

Instructions
Caramelize the Onions
Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden and caramelized. This takes about 15-20 minutes but is totally worth it!
Add Garlic and Herbs
Stir in minced garlic and thyme, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
Deglaze with Broth
Pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Add Pasta and Simmer
Add the pasta directly into the pot, making sure it’s submerged in the broth. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked and has absorbed the flavorful broth.
Stir in Cream and Cheese
Once the pasta is tender, stir in heavy cream, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until everything is creamy and well combined.
Serve and Enjoy
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra cheese and fresh thyme!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Calories per serving: 550
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
How to Serve One Pot French Onion Pasta
This dish is a full meal on its own, but you can make it even better with these serving ideas:
- Pair it with a simple green salad for freshness and balance.
- Serve with garlic bread or a crusty baguette to soak up all the extra sauce.
- Add a side of roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts.
- Top with crispy fried onions for extra crunch and flavor.
Additional Tips
- Low and slow is key when caramelizing onions—don’t rush this step!
- Swap beef broth for vegetable broth if you want a vegetarian version.
- Use a mix of cheeses like mozzarella or Swiss if you don’t have Gruyère.
- Add protein by stirring in cooked chicken, bacon, or even sautéed mushrooms.
- Make it spicier with a pinch of red pepper flakes.
FAQ’s
1. Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes! Short pasta like penne or rigatoni works, but adjust the liquid amount if needed.
2. Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth and swap Gruyère for a vegetarian cheese.
3. How do I store leftovers?
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
4. How do I reheat this pasta?
Reheat on the stove over low heat with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
5. Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
Freshly grated cheese melts better and gives the sauce a smoother texture.
6. Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes! Swap butter for olive oil, heavy cream for coconut cream, and use a dairy-free cheese alternative.
7. How do I make the sauce thicker?
Let it simmer for an extra couple of minutes, stirring frequently.
8. Can I freeze this pasta?
It’s best enjoyed fresh, as the cream-based sauce may separate when frozen.
9. What onions work best?
Yellow onions are ideal, but sweet onions also work well for a milder flavor.
10. Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
Yes! Use the sauté function for the onions, then pressure cook the pasta with broth for about 4 minutes. Stir in the cream and cheese afterward.
Conclusion
This One Pot French Onion Pasta is the perfect mix of cozy, cheesy, and deeply savory flavors—all made in a single pot for easy cleanup! Whether you’re craving comfort food or looking for a restaurant-style pasta dish, this recipe delivers in every way. Try it once, and trust me, you’ll be hooked!
Print
One Pot French Onion Pasta
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich and comforting pasta dish inspired by classic French onion soup. This one-pot recipe features caramelized onions, a savory broth, and melted cheese for a cozy and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
A rich and comforting pasta dish inspired by classic French onion soup. This one-pot recipe features caramelized onions, a savory broth, and melted cheese for a cozy and flavorful meal.
Instructions
1. Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the sliced onions, salt, pepper, and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized (about 20–25 minutes).
3. Add the garlic and thyme, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in the white wine (if using) and deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
5. Add the broth and bring to a simmer.
6. Stir in the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid (about 10–12 minutes).
7. Lower the heat and mix in Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
9. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra grated cheese.
Notes
– For extra depth of flavor, use a combination of beef and chicken broth.
– Swap out Gruyère for Swiss or mozzarella if preferred.
– If the pasta thickens too much after sitting, add a splash of warm broth or water to loosen it up.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 35mg