French Onion Soup Pasta Bake Recipe

Introduction

This French Onion Soup Pasta combines the rich, caramelized flavors of classic French onion soup with comforting pasta. Creamy béchamel sauce and savory onions make it a delicious twist 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 olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sauté for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they caramelize slowly without burning. Optionally, add 1 teaspoon sugar to speed caramelization.
3. Step 3: If the onions start to stick, pour in the beef broth and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Once caramelized, set onions aside and prepare the béchamel sauce.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, melt butter over low-medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add heavy cream, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. If the sauce lumps, add ice-cold water and whisk vigorously to smooth it out.
5. Step 5: Stir in two-thirds of the caramelized onions, then season with salt, pepper, chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese. Let it simmer gently.
6. Step 6: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta until just shy of al dente to allow it to finish cooking in the oven.
7. Step 7: Drain pasta and combine with the béchamel onion sauce until well mixed.
8. Step 8: Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish. Top with the remaining caramelized onions and homemade breadcrumbs made from the diced baguette mixed with olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano.
9. Step 9: Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes until the top is golden and crisp.
10. Step 10: Serve immediately and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors.

Tips & Variations

• Use mild yellow onions or sweet onions for a sweeter caramelized flavor.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth.
• Adding a splash of dry white wine when caramelizing onions enhances depth.
• Try topping with Gruyère cheese instead of Parmesan for a more classic French onion soup twist.
• If you prefer a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta and substitute the flour in béchamel with cornstarch or gluten-free flour.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or on the stovetop over low heat to retain the creamy texture. Avoid microwaving directly as it may cause the sauce to separate.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the caramelized onions ahead of time?

Yes, caramelized onions can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before mixing into the sauce.

What is the best pasta to use for this recipe?

Cavatappi works great due to its shape, holding the sauce well. Other sturdy pasta like penne or rigatoni can also be used.

French Onion Soup Pasta Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 60 reviews

• Author: Hugo
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 4–6 servings 1x

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Description

This French Onion Soup Pasta recipe transforms classic caramelized onion flavors and creamy béchamel sauce into a comforting baked pasta dish. Featuring tender cavatappi pasta smothered in a rich blend of caramelized onions, Parmesan-infused béchamel, and finished with a crispy breadcrumb topping, this dish delivers all the soul-soothing warmth of French onion soup in a crowd-pleasing pasta bake.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bread Topping

• 1/2 Baguette
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Pepper
• 2 tsp Oregano

Pasta and Sauce

• 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 (optional for caramelizing onions)
• Fresh Parsley (chopped)
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika Powder
• 1/2 tsp Nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Slice the onions: Thinly slice 5 onions into long strips for caramelization.
2. Caramelize onions: Heat a large skillet over medium heat with 1 tbsp olive oil. Sauté the onions for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to caramelize slowly and prevent burning. Optionally, add 1 tsp sugar to speed caramelization.
3. Simmer with broth: If onions stick to the pan, add 1/2 cup beef broth and simmer for 10 more minutes. Once caramelized, set onions aside.
4. Prepare béchamel sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over low-medium heat. Whisk in 1 tbsp flour and cook for a minute. Gradually add 3 cups heavy cream, whisking to avoid lumps; use cold water if needed to smooth sauce. Let thicken.
5. Combine onions and seasoning: Stir in two-thirds of the caramelized onions into the béchamel. Season with 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, chopped parsley, and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently.
6. Cook pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot and cook 300 g cavatappi pasta until just shy of al dente, as it will finish cooking in the oven.
7. Mix pasta and sauce: Combine the cooked pasta with the béchamel-onion sauce, stirring until well incorporated.
8. Prepare breadcrumb topping: Finely chop the 1/2 baguette and mix with 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, and 2 tsp oregano. Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil to coat evenly.
9. Assemble and bake: Transfer pasta mixture to a baking dish. Top with remaining one-third caramelized onions, then sprinkle the prepared breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top. Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes until the topping is golden and crisp.
10. Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley if desired. Enjoy your rich and comforting French Onion Soup Pasta bake!

Notes

• Caramelizing onions slowly is key to developing rich flavor—avoid high heat to prevent burning.
• Using beef broth adds depth, but vegetable broth can be substituted for a lighter taste.
• Adding cold water to béchamel sauce helps smooth out lumps if they form.
• Cooking pasta slightly under al dente ensures it finishes perfectly in the oven bake.
• Breadcrumb topping can be customized with herbs and spices to your preference.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Pasta Bake
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French-inspired

Keywords: French onion soup pasta, caramelized onion pasta, baked pasta recipe, creamy béchamel pasta, comfort food pasta, cavatappi pasta bake