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.
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.
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