This easy one pot French onion pasta is sweet, savory, and creamy. All the traditional flavors of French onion soup meets rigatoni pasta, made in one pot. The caramelized onion sauce has creamy gruyere cheese and fresh thyme.
No wine or alcohol in this recipe, so it’s a great weeknight dinner the whole family will love. I’ll show you step-by-step how easy it is to make.
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Viral French Onion Pasta
Why did this recipe go viral? Pasta recipes are so popular on TikTok, Instagram, and Youtube and have millions of views. This is a one pot wonder and so delicious.
The base of this viral pasta recipe starts with a traditional French onion soup, then dry pasta is added. While the pasta is cooking the starch helps to thicken the caramelized beef flavored sauce. Shredded gruyere cheese is mixed in to make it extra creamy. Yum.
Love Pasta? Check out these indulgent recipes - TikTok Spaghetti Alfredo, Marry Me Chicken Pasta, TikTok Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta and 17 The Best Viral TikTok Pasta Recipes !! .
Ingredients and Substitutions
Onions- Yellow onions cut thinly, but white onions can be substituted.
Butter - Unsalted is best to control the sodium.
Garlic- Fresh chopped garlic adds so much flavor but garlic powder can be substituted.
Thyme - Fresh thyme is preferred but dried can be used in in a pinch.
Beef Broth - Good quality unsalted or lower sodium beef broth is best, especially one that has a rich dark color. Substitute mushroom vegetable broth if preferred.
Cream - Heavy whipping cream is used to add richness. Substitute half and half for a lighter finish.
Worcestershire Sauce - Adds a nice depth of flavor and color. Substitute a touch of soy sauce or tamari.
Cheese - Gruyere is a classic cheese for French onion soup. Substitute a good melting cheese like parmesan, gouda, Emmental, provolone, or white cheddar.
Pasta - Any short would be great. Penne, bowtie, rigatoni, fusilli, orecchiette, or shells.
Gruyere Cheese Options
Most grocery stores in the United States have two options for Gruyere cheese, US made or Swiss made.
The above photo were the two at my local Walmart. Both melt really well and have a great flavor.
Made in Switzerland - Emmi Le Gruyere
Pros - Firm, sharper, and nutter flavor.
Cons- Pricer than US made.
Made in Wisconsin - Red Apple Gruyere
Pros- Softer and easier to shred with a grater.
Cons- Flavor is not as strong as Swiss made.
How To Caramelize Onions
Caramelized onions is a pure labor of love. Two large yellow onion took me about 40- 45 minutes to cook down, but the flavor was worth it.
- Start with a large saucepan or dutch oven with a lid.
- Slice the onions thin. Place them in the pot with water and good pinch of salt.
- Cook on high heat with the lid on, for about 7 minutes to jump start the breaking down process of the onions.
- Uncover and immediately reduce the heat too low.
- For the next 40 minutes, mix and check the onions every 5 minutes. Do not be tempted to raise the heat and keep an eye on them to prevent hot spots and burning.
- You are looking for the onions to be deep brown and caramelized.
Tips and Suggestions
Top or toss in fully cooked meats like shredded chicken or beef, meatballs, ground beef or pork, sausage, crispy bacon or prosciutto.
Add mushrooms right after caramelizing the onions for an earthy flavor.
If you love caramelized onions make more and set aside for another dish or make the sauce sweeter with an extra onion or two.
For a show stopping dinner serve with a ball of burrata cheese. Top with a drizzle of olive oil, fresh thyme, and cracked pepper.
Add in extra flavors like capers, artichokes, chopped roasted red peppers, tomatoes, frozen peas or cooked mushrooms and bacon.
I used 3 ½ cups of beef bone broth because I like my pasta saucy. If you prefer pasta with less sauce reduce it to 3 cups.
How To Serve Viral TikTok French Onion Pasta
This French onion pasta is made in right in one pot and can be taken straight to the dinner table. Make sure the outside of the pot is cool to the touch. Serve with roasted or steamed vegetables and French garlic bread slices with melted gruyere cheese or make a cool and crispy salad.
Try this Viral Crunchy Lemon Parmesan Salad or 15 Minute Garlic Bread recipe !!!
Leftovers and Storage
If there are any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and easily reheated in the microwave.
Making this for meal prep? It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Step By Step Photos and Directions
- Grab all the ingredients and prep them.
2. In a large pot or dutch oven on high heat add water, salt, and thinly sliced onions. Cover and cook for about 5-7 minutes.
3. Uncover the pot and reduce the heat to low and add the butter.
4. Saute the onions until they are brown and caramelized. This takes about 35-40 minutes so keep an eye on them. Stir ever 5 minutes to prevent hot spot, burning and sticking.
5. This is what the onions look like after 10 minutes of cooking.
6. After 20 minutes of cooking.
7. After 30 minutes of cooking.
8. After 40 minutes of cooking.
9. Raise the heat to medium-high. Add in the garlic and thyme saute for about 2 minutes.
10. Deglaze the pot with the beef broth. Mix well.
11. Add in the dry rigatoni pasta, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix and bring to a boil.
12. Reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer for about 10 minutes, mixing a couple time in between.
13. Uncover the pot and to test for the pasta texture. You'll want an al dente texture or cook until it's the texture you prefer. Try not to overcook the pasta.
14. Add in the heavy cream and slowly mix in the shredded Gruyere cheese until the sauce is nice and smooth.
15. Remove the pot from the heat and mix well.
16. Garnish with extra thyme and fresh cracked black pepper. Enjoy.
One Pot French Onion Pasta
Equipment
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven
- Cooking Spoon
- Cutting Board and Knife
Ingredients
- 2 large Yellow Onions (Cut Thinly)
- ¼ cup Water
- ½ tsp. Salt
- 4 tbsp. Unsalted Butter
- 2 tbsp. Fresh Garlic (Minced or Chopped)
- ½-1 tsp. Fresh Thyme (Minced or Chopped)
- 3 ½ cups Beef Broth (Unsalted or Low Sodium)
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
- ¼ cup Heavy Cream
- 1 ½ cups Gruyere Cheese (Shredded) about 6oz
- 8oz Rigatoni Mezza (about a half a box)
Instructions
Caramelize The Onions
- In a large pot or dutch oven on high heat add water, salt, and thinly sliced onions. Cover and cook for about 5-7 minutes.
- Uncover the pot and reduce the heat to low and add the butter.
- Saute the onions until they are brown and caramelized. This takes about 35-40 minutes so keep an eye on them. Stir ever 5 minutes to prevent hot spot, burning and sticking.
Make The Onion Past Sauce and Cook The Pasta
- Raise the heat to medium-high. Add in the garlic and thyme saute for about 2 minutes.
- Deglaze the pot with the beef broth. Mix well.
- Add in the dry rigatoni pasta, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer for about 10 minutes, mixing a couple time in between.
- Uncover the pot and to test for the pasta texture. You'll want an al dente texture or cook until it's the texture you prefer. Try not to over cook the pasta.
- Add in the heavy cream and slowly mix in the shredded Gruyere cheese until the sauce is nice and smooth. Remove the pot from the heat.
- Garnish with extra thyme and fresh cracked black pepper. Enjoy.
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