Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This French Onion Pasta Bowl Soup delivers the best of both worlds — the soulful flavor of French onion soup and the hearty satisfaction of a pasta dinner. The onions are deeply caramelized for that signature sweetness, the broth is rich and buttery, and the cheese topping adds a luscious finish. It’s a perfect meal for cold nights, easy enough for weeknights yet elegant enough for entertaining.
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French Onion Pasta Bowl Soup Recipe: A Cozy Twist on a Classic Favorite
- Total Time: 1 hr
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This French Onion Pasta Bowl Soup combines the deep, caramelized flavors of classic French onion soup with the comforting heartiness of pasta. It features tender noodles simmered in a rich, savory broth with sweet caramelized onions, melty cheese, and fresh herbs — the ultimate cozy meal in a bowl.
Ingredients
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 6 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 8 oz pasta (rigatoni, penne, or egg noodles)
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat.
- Add sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook slowly for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are deeply golden and caramelized.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Pour in white wine (if using) and stir, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Add beef broth and thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Add the cooked pasta to the soup and stir to combine. Simmer together for 3–5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Preheat the broiler. Ladle soup and pasta into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a generous amount of Gruyère and mozzarella cheese.
- Place the bowls under the broiler for 2–3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly with golden edges.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and skip the wine or replace it with apple cider vinegar.
- Top with toasted baguette slices before broiling for a true French onion soup feel.
- Use caramelized onions made ahead of time to save prep time.
- Perfect for chilly nights or as a comforting one-pot dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop and Broiling
- Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Yellow Onions: The star of the show — slow-cooked until golden brown and caramelized for maximum sweetness and depth.
Butter: Essential for sautéing the onions and developing that rich, buttery flavor base.
Olive Oil: Prevents the butter from burning during the long caramelization process.
Garlic: Adds aromatic depth to the broth and enhances the savory notes.
Beef Broth: The foundation of the soup — choose low-sodium broth so you can control the seasoning.
Dry White Wine (optional): Used to deglaze the pan and add acidity that balances the onions’ sweetness.
Thyme: Fresh or dried thyme brings an earthy herbal note that’s classic in French onion flavoring.
Bay Leaf: Adds subtle aroma and helps round out the broth.
Worcestershire Sauce: Deepens the umami flavor and adds a touch of complexity.
Pasta: Egg noodles, rigatoni, or rotini work well. The pasta adds heartiness and soaks up the delicious broth.
Gruyère or Swiss Cheese: Melty, nutty cheese that brings the signature French onion soup finish.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty kick and depth to the melted cheese topping.
Salt and Black Pepper: To season and balance the richness of the dish.
Chopped Parsley (optional): For a touch of color and freshness when serving.
Directions
In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring often, for 30–40 minutes until they become deeply golden and caramelized. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
Deglaze the pot with white wine, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom. Let it simmer until the liquid reduces by half. Stir in beef broth, thyme, bay leaf, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 15–20 minutes to deepen the flavor. Remove the bay leaf.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a separate pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Add the cooked pasta to the soup pot and stir well to combine. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl generously with shredded Gruyère and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Place the bowls under the broiler for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Essential Equipment
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4 generous portions. Prep time takes about 15 minutes, caramelizing the onions takes 40 minutes, and cooking takes an additional 20 minutes, for a total of around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Storage/reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of broth if needed to loosen the soup. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave. For best results, add fresh cheese before reheating if you want that gooey topping again.
Variations and Customizations
Mushroom Lover’s Twist
Add sautéed mushrooms to the caramelized onions for an earthy, umami-rich variation.
Vegetarian Option
Use vegetable broth and skip the Worcestershire sauce (or use a vegetarian version).
Creamy Version
Stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end for a richer, velvety broth.
Cheesy Garlic Croutons
Top the soup with garlic croutons before adding the cheese layer for extra crunch.
Caramelized Shallot Mix
Combine onions and shallots for a more complex sweetness.
French Onion Pasta Bake
Transfer everything to a casserole dish, top with extra cheese, and bake until bubbly and golden.
FAQs
1. Can I make this without wine?
Yes, substitute with extra beef broth and a splash of balsamic vinegar for acidity.
2. What pasta works best?
Egg noodles or rigatoni hold up well and absorb the broth beautifully.
3. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, the flavors actually improve after resting overnight — just add fresh cheese before serving.
4. Can I use chicken broth instead of beef broth?
Yes, but beef broth gives that deeper, classic French onion flavor.
5. How do I caramelize onions faster?
There’s no true shortcut — slow cooking over low heat develops the best flavor.
6. Can I make this gluten-free?
Use gluten-free pasta and check your broth and Worcestershire sauce labels.
7. Can I add protein to this dish?
Yes, shredded beef or rotisserie chicken makes it extra hearty.
8. What cheese can I substitute for Gruyère?
Swiss, provolone, or mozzarella work well as alternatives.
9. Can I skip broiling the cheese?
Yes, you can melt the cheese directly into the soup for a creamy finish.
10. What sides go well with this soup?
A green salad or garlic bread complements it perfectly.
Conclusion
French Onion Pasta Bowl Soup takes everything you love about the classic French onion soup and turns it into a cozy, satisfying meal. The combination of sweet caramelized onions, rich broth, tender pasta, and melty cheese creates a harmony of flavors that’s both comforting and indulgent. Whether you serve it as a main course or a special weekend dinner, this dish brings warmth and elegance to the table — the perfect bowl of comfort for any occasion.
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