French Onion Soup Pasta Bake Recipe

Introduction

This French Onion Soup Pasta offers a comforting twist on a classic dish, combining rich caramelized onions and creamy béchamel sauce with tender pasta. It’s a hearty, flavorful meal perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

• 1/2 Baguette
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Pepper
• 2 tsp Oregano
• 300 g Cavatappi Macaroni
• 5 Onions (thinly sliced)
• 1/2 cup Beef Broth
• 3 cups Heavy Cream
• 1 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
• 1 tbsp Flour
• 3 tbsp Water (for béchamel)
• 1 tsp Sugar
• Fresh Parsley (chopped)
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika Powder
• 1/2 tsp Nutmeg

Instructions

1. Step 1: Thinly slice the onions into long strips.
2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet or pan over medium heat and add olive oil. Sauté the onions for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow them to caramelize slowly without burning. Optionally, add 1 teaspoon of sugar to speed up caramelization.
3. Step 3: If the onions start sticking to the pan, add the beef broth and let it simmer for 10 more minutes. Once caramelized, set the onions aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, melt butter over low to medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about a minute, then gradually add heavy cream while whisking. Let the sauce thicken, using ice-cold water to smooth out any lumps if needed.
5. Step 5: Stir in two-thirds of the caramelized onions and simmer. Season with salt, pepper, chopped parsley, and Parmesan cheese.
6. Step 6: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just shy of al dente, as it will finish cooking in the oven.
7. Step 7: Combine the cooked pasta with the béchamel sauce, stirring until well mixed.
8. Step 8: Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish. Top with the remaining one-third of caramelized onions and prepared breadcrumbs made from the baguette seasoned with oregano, garlic powder, smoked paprika, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
9. Step 9: Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes, or until the top is golden and crisp.
10. Step 10: Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use day-old baguette to make crispier breadcrumbs or substitute with store-bought seasoned crumbs for convenience.
• For a vegetarian version, replace beef broth with vegetable broth.
• Add a splash of white wine when sautéing onions for extra depth of flavor.
• Try mixing Gruyère or Swiss cheese with Parmesan for a different cheesy note.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. For best texture, avoid reheating past once to keep the topping crisp.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, feel free to use any short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli that holds sauce well.

How do I prevent the béchamel sauce from getting lumpy?

Whisk continuously when adding flour and cream. If lumps form, add a little ice-cold water and whisk vigorously to smooth the sauce.

French Onion Soup Pasta Bake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 123 reviews

A comforting French Onion Soup Pasta that combines caramelized onions, creamy béchamel, and cheesy pasta baked to golden perfection. This dish blends the rich flavors of traditional French onion soup with the heartiness of baked pasta, making it a perfect cozy meal.

• Author: Naya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 65 minutes
• Total Time: 80 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French-inspired

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Pasta and Toppings

• 1/2 Baguette
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Pepper
• 2 tsp Oregano
• 300 g Cavatappi Macaroni

For the Onion and Sauce

• 5 Onions (thinly sliced)
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 3 cups Heavy Cream
• 1 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
• 1 tbsp Flour + 3 tbsp water (for béchamel)
• 1 tsp Sugar
• Fresh Parsley (chopped)
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika powder
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

Instructions

1. Slice Onions: Thinly slice the onions into long strips to prepare them for caramelization.
2. Caramelize Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally to caramelize them slowly without burning. Optionally, add 1 tsp sugar to speed up caramelization.
3. Deglaze and Simmer: If onions start sticking, add beef broth to the skillet and let it simmer for 10 more minutes. Once caramelized, remove from heat and set aside.
4. Prepare Béchamel Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over low-medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute. Gradually add the heavy cream while whisking constantly until the sauce thickens and is smooth. If lumps form, add ice-cold water and whisk vigorously to smooth the sauce.
5. Incorporate Onions and Season: Stir two-thirds of the caramelized onions into the béchamel sauce and simmer. Season with salt, pepper, chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese.
6. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the cavatappi pasta until just short of al dente, as it will finish cooking in the oven.
7. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the pasta and mix it thoroughly with the béchamel-onion sauce mixture.
8. Prepare Breadcrumb Topping: Tear or pulse the baguette into crumbs, then toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano to make homemade breadcrumbs.
9. Assemble and Bake: Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish. Top with the remaining one-third of caramelized onions and the prepared breadcrumbs. Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes until the top is golden and crisp.
10. Serve: Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the rich, creamy baked pasta inspired by French onion soup flavors.

Notes

• Slow caramelization is key to developing deep onion flavor; avoid high heat to prevent burning.
• Using ice-cold water to smooth béchamel sauce is a useful trick to resolve lumps without altering the texture.
• The pasta is slightly undercooked before baking to avoid overcooking in the oven.
• Homemade breadcrumbs add a fresh, crisp topping but store-bought can be used as a shortcut.
• This dish pairs well with a green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.

Keywords: French Onion Soup Pasta, Baked Pasta, Caramelized Onions, Béchamel Sauce, Comfort Food, Cavatappi Pasta