French onion pasta bake

This French onion pasta bake with meltingly tender caramelized onions, fresh thyme and Gruyère cheese is a cozy, comforting dinner recipe the entire family will love.

French onion pasta bake

Ingredients

  • Butter. 
  • Onions. 
  • Brown sugar/honey. 
  • Fresh garlic cloves. 
  • Fresh thyme. 
  • Flour. 
  • Beef stock/beef broth. 
  • Heavy cream/whipping cream.
  • Salt and black pepper. 
  • Pasta. I used rigatoni but any short pasta shape will work.
  • Gruyère cheese. 

French onion pasta bake

How to make French onion pasta bake

Melt the butter in large skillet or pan set over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions and cook for 20-25 minutes until the onions are tender and caramelized. Add the brown sugar, garlic and thyme and cook for another minute or two. Stir in the flour then pour in the beef stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened then pour in the cream. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

Add the cooked pasta to the sauce then transfer to a baking dish. Top with Gruyère cheese (I also added quartered red onions and fresh thyme but this it optional). Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Can I make this in advance?

The pasta bake can be assembled then transferred to the fridge overnight or frozen in a freezer-safe dish for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen until hot throughout. Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave.

What to serve with French onion pasta bake

This dish is a full meal on its own but if you want to add side dishes, a zest salad or garlic bread will be delicious.

French onion pasta bake

Pasta bake recipe

  1. Bolognese pasta bake
  2. Pizza pasta bake
  3. Creamy spinach artichoke pasta bake
French onion pasta bake

French onion pasta bake

French onion pasta bake with meltingly tender caramelized onions, Gruyere cheese and fresh thyme is a comfort food dinner winner.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, French
Keyword: French onion pasta, French onion pasta bake, Pasta bake recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Calories: 550kcal
Author: Alida Ryder
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 4 medium onions thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar/honey
  • 4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups beef stock/beef broth
  • 1 cup cream
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 500 g / 1lb pasta cooked
  • 2 cups gruyère cheese

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in large skillet or pan set over medium-high heat.
  • Add the sliced onions and cook for 20-25 minutes until the onions are tender and caramelized.
  • Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F.
  • Add the brown sugar, garlic and thyme and cook for another minute or two.
  • Stir in the flour then pour in the beef stock.
  • Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened then pour in the cream.
  • Season to taste with salt and black pepper. 
  • Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir in half of the cheese then transfer to a baking dish.
  • Top with the remaining Gruyère cheese (I also added quartered red onions and fresh thyme but this it optional).
  • Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 550kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 505mg | Potassium: 347mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1048IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 356mg | Iron: 2mg