One Pot Creamy French Onion Pasta

Ingredients

• 2 large Yellow Onions (thinly sliced)
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil (for sautéing)
• 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter (room temperature)
• 0.5 cup Water (added in small splashes to deglaze onions)
• 4 oz Pancetta (diced)
• 3 Garlic (cloves, minced)
• 0.25 cup Dry White Wine (such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
• Kosher Salt (to taste)
• 1 tsp Fresh Thyme (leaves stripped from stems)
• 1 sprig Fresh Rosemary (whole sprig for infusion)
• 1 lb Dry Pasta (short pasta like Rigatoni or Penne)
• 4 cup Beef Broth (low sodium preferred)
• 0.5 cup Heavy Cream (at room temperature)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
• 1 cup Gruyère Cheese (shredded)

Steps

1. 1

   Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the olive oil and butter. Once the butter is melted, add the sliced onions.

2. 2

   To caramelize the onions quickly (10-15 minutes), let them brown on the bottom of the pot, then deglaze with a small splash of water, scraping up the browned bits. Repeat this process until the onions are deep golden brown and soft.

3. 3

   Add the diced pancetta to the pot with the onions. Cook until the pancetta is crispy and has rendered its fat.

4. 4

   Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.

5. 5

   Deglaze the pot with the white wine, using a wooden spoon to scrape any remaining bits from the bottom. Let the wine simmer for 1-2 minutes until mostly evaporated.

6. 6

   Season with salt and fresh thyme, and add the rosemary sprig.

7. 7

   Add the dry pasta and the beef broth to the pot. Ensure the pasta is mostly submerged. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

8. 8

   Remove the rosemary sprig. Stir in the heavy cream and the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

9. 9

   Top the pasta with a generous layer of shredded Gruyère cheese. Cover the pot for a minute or place under a broiler briefly until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

To make this recipe without alcohol, substitute the white wine with an equal amount of beef broth or a splash of apple cider vinegar. If you don't have pancetta, bacon is a great substitute.

Nutrition per serving

• one-pot
• pasta
• dinner
• comfort food
• French-inspired
• easy recipe