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Creamy French Onion Soup Pasta Bake Recipe with Crispy Shallots

creamy french onion soup pasta bake - featured image
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A comforting and creamy pasta bake inspired by French onion soup, topped with crispy shallots for a delightful texture contrast. Perfect for cozy dinners and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or shells)
  • 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups beef or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1½ cups shredded Gruyère cheese
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 3 large shallots, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of your chosen pasta and cook until just shy of al dente, about 6-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large sauté pan, melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter with 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally and cook for 35-40 minutes until onions are golden-brown and caramelized.
  3. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves. Cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Pour in 2 cups beef or vegetable broth, scraping any browned bits from the pan’s bottom. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Lower heat and stir in 1 cup heavy cream. Simmer gently for 5 minutes to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, folding gently to coat all noodles evenly.
  7. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1½ cups shredded Gruyère and ½ cup Parmesan evenly over the top.
  8. Heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a small frying pan over medium-high heat (around 350°F or 175°C). Fry thinly sliced shallots in batches until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to paper towels and season lightly with salt.
  9. Place the pasta bake in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  10. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle crispy shallots on top.
  11. Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use small-curd Gruyère for better melting. Slice shallots very thin for perfect crispiness. Maintain oil temperature around 350°F (175°C) when frying shallots. Rest the bake for 5 minutes before serving to set the cheese. For dairy-free or vegan versions, substitute heavy cream and cheese with plant-based alternatives and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: French onion soup, pasta bake, creamy pasta, crispy shallots, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy pasta bake

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/creamy-french-onion-soup-pasta-bake-recipe-with-crispy-shallots-easy-guide/