When you think of comfort food, what comes to mind? Maybe a warm bowl of soup or a creamy plate of pasta. Now imagine those two cozy worlds colliding in the most delicious way possible. That’s exactly what you get with French Onion Soup Pasta—a rich, savory dish that’s basically a warm hug in a bowl.
Whether you’re a fan of caramelized onions or just looking for a cozy meal that tastes like it took all day (spoiler: it didn’t), this pasta is here to save your dinner routine. It’s the kind of recipe that feels a little fancy but fits right into a Tuesday night. Let’s dig in!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This French Onion Soup Pasta
This pasta takes all the nostalgic goodness of classic French onion soup—the slow-cooked onions, the hearty broth, the golden cheesy top—and swirls it into a creamy, dreamy pasta bake. It’s perfect for:
- Busy weeknights when you want something hearty and satisfying.
- Impressing dinner guests without stressing out.
- Using up pantry staples like onions, pasta, and broth.
And let’s be real: if you’ve ever wanted an excuse to eat cheesy, golden breadcrumbs on pasta, this is it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cavatappi or any pasta of choice
- Baguette
- Olive Oil
- Beef Broth
- Oregano
- Onions (lots of them!)
- Heavy Cream
- Parmesan Cheese
- Flour
- Sugar (optional)
- Fresh Parsley
See recipe card below for exact measurements.
How to Make French Onion Soup Pasta : Step-by-Step
1. Toast & Blend the Breadcrumbs
Start by giving your baguette new life. Slice it thin, toss it with olive oil and oregano, and toast at 300°F for about 7–10 minutes until just golden. Once cooled, blitz those slices in a food processor until they turn into fine, golden breadcrumbs.
2. Caramelize the Onions
This part takes patience, but it’s worth every second. Slice your onions into long strips and sauté in olive oil over medium heat for 30–40 minutes. Stir occasionally and let them get that deep, golden-brown color. Optional: Add a teaspoon of sugar to speed things up if you’re in a pinch.
3. Make the Creamy Béchamel Sauce
In the same skillet, melt some butter and whisk in the flour. Cook for about a minute, then gradually stir in the heavy cream. Let it thicken slightly before folding in ⅔ of your caramelized onions. Add parsley, salt, pepper, and a generous handful of Parmesan.
4. Cook the Pasta
While the sauce simmers, boil your pasta until just shy of al dente. Drain and mix it into your oniony, creamy béchamel.
5. Bake & Serve
Pour the sauced pasta into a baking dish. Top with the rest of the caramelized onions and those crunchy breadcrumbs. Bake at 350°F for 10–15 minutes until the top is golden and irresistible.
Serve hot, scoop generously, and enjoy that first bite that tastes like pure cozy.
Tips for the Best French Onion Soup Pasta
- Don’t rush the onions—they’re the heart of this dish.
- Use a mix of cheeses if you’re feeling bold (Gruyère is divine here).
- Got leftovers? They reheat like a dream the next day.
- Try air-frying the breadcrumb topping for extra crunch.
A Personal Note
The first time I made this recipe, I was juggling a laundry pile taller than my toddler and had zero energy left for a complicated dinner. But slow-cooking those onions felt oddly therapeutic, and by the time we sat down, it was like the stress melted right into that cheesy crust. It’s now one of our go-to’s when life feels too full—and trust me, that’s often.

FAQs About French Onion Soup Pasta
Can I use vegetable broth instead of beef broth?
Yes! It’ll still be delicious and slightly lighter in flavor.
What pasta works best for this dish?
Cavatappi holds the sauce beautifully, but penne, fusilli, or even rigatoni work just as well.
Can I prep this ahead of time?
Absolutely. Assemble the whole thing up to the baking step, refrigerate, then bake when ready.
The Coziest Pasta You’ll Make This Season
French Onion Soup Pasta is everything you love about comfort food—rich, creamy, slightly sweet from the onions, and topped with a crunchy, cheesy crust. It’s the kind of meal that turns an ordinary night into something special. So pour yourself a glass of wine, kick off your shoes, and let this dish do its magic.
Loved this cozy twist? Let me know in the comments or tag your creation with #SlowCookersRecipes on pinteresrt !
More Cozy Recipes to Try Next
If this French Onion Soup Pasta left you feeling warm and comforted, you’re going to love these flavorful dishes that bring similar cozy vibes and rich, savory notes to your dinner table:
- Craving more French onion magic? Try our savory and satisfying French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes for a handheld twist on the classic flavor combo.
- For another pasta-packed comfort dish, don’t miss the creamy and protein-packed Healthy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta.
- Want to explore more caramelized onion goodness? Our French Onion Pot Roast is slow-cooked to perfection and deeply flavorful.
- If you love cheesy, baked meals with golden toppings, you’ll adore our hearty and comforting Slow Cooker Stuffed Shells with Meat.
Let these dishes add even more easy-to-love, fuss-free flavor to your weekly meal plan!
Print
French Onion Soup Pasta
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This French Onion Soup Pasta is the ultimate comfort food fusion! Creamy, cheesy, and packed with caramelized onion goodness, it’s finished with a crispy breadcrumb topping that makes every bite unforgettable. Perfect for cozy nights, potlucks, or just when you want something that tastes fancy—but is secretly easy.
Ingredients
Cavatappi pasta or pasta of choice
1 baguette, sliced thin
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
3–4 large onions, thinly sliced
1 tsp sugar (optional)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup beef broth
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Breadcrumbs:
Preheat oven to 300°F. Toss thin baguette slices with olive oil and oregano. Toast for 7–10 minutes until golden. Cool, then blend into fine breadcrumbs.Caramelize the Onions:
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add onions and sauté for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add sugar if desired to speed up caramelization. Set aside.Make the Sauce:
In the same skillet, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly add heavy cream and beef broth, stirring until thickened. Stir in ⅔ of the caramelized onions, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper.Cook the Pasta:
Boil pasta in salted water until just shy of al dente. Drain and mix into the onion cream sauce.Assemble & Bake:
Transfer mixture to a baking dish. Top with remaining onions and breadcrumbs. Bake at 350°F for 10–15 minutes or until golden and bubbling.Serve & Enjoy!
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Gruyère cheese can be swapped in for a stronger French onion flavor.
You can prep the entire dish a day ahead—just bake before serving.
Don’t rush the onions! Low and slow gives the best flavor payoff.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Comfort Food
- Method: Bake, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-French fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg