This French onion pasta is about to become your new obsession. One hour of patient onion caramelization pays off with the most incredible, cheese-covered comfort food that's taking over the internet for very good reasons.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time1 hourhr
Resting Time5 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr15 minutesmins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4servings
Calories: 1011kcal
Equipment
Cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan
Large pot for boiling pasta
Wooden spoon
tongs
Sharp chef’s knife
Ingredients
For the steak:
1-1.5lbsribeye or NY strip steak
Kosher Salt
Avocado oilor your favorite neutral cooking oil
For the French onion pasta:
1lbPaccheri pastarigatoni, or penne
4large yellow onionsthinly sliced
4tbspunsalted butter
1tbspAvocado oilor your favorite neutral cooking oil
Remove your steak from the package and pat it dry with a paper towel. Season both sides liberally with salt and let sit at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes.
Caramelize the onions:
Heat butter and oil in a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-low heat.
Add sliced onions with a pinch of salt and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 45-60 minutes, until deeply golden brown, tacky, and almost jam-like.
Add the thyme sprigs and bay leaf in the last 15 minutes or so of caramelization.
Transfer caramelized onions to a bowl and set aside.
Wipe out the pan and return it to medium-high heat over the burner.
Cook the pasta:
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in boiling, salted water until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
Cook the steak:
Add the oil to the pan and swirl to coat.
Swirl to coat, and allow the oil to preheat until it begins to shimmer. Add your steak to the pan and let it sit for 2-3 minutes without moving it, until a golden-brown crust forms on the surface.
Flip the steak and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 125°F for medium-rare.
Transfer the steak to a cutting board and rest, tented with foil, for 10 minutes.
Make the sauce:
In the same pan, over medium-low heat, add the wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon, and cook until the wine has reduced by half.
Preheat your broiler.
Pour in beef broth and simmer for 10 minutes until slightly reduced.
Then, return the caramelized onions to the pan.
Stir in heavy cream and season with a pinch of black pepper and garlic powder.
Remove the bay leaf and transfer the sauce to a bowl. Set aside.
Fold in the cooked pasta, adding a little of the reserved pasta water if needed for a silky smooth texture, and top with the cheeses.
Place the skillet under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, just to melt the cheese and turn it golden brown.
Serve:
Slice the steak into thin strips against the grain and layer it over the pasta.
Garnish with fresh thyme leaves, minced chives, and freshly ground black pepper.
Serve immediately.
Notes
Protein swaps: Use filet mignon, sirloin, chicken, or pork chops - adjust cook times accordingly
Cheese options: Gruyère is traditional; add Fontina for extra creaminess, or omit mozzarella for a less gooey texture
Wine substitutes: Use brandy or Cognac for a deeper flavor, or substitute with 1/4 cup beef broth and skip the wine altogether
Pasta picks: Paccheri and rigatoni work best, but penne or shells substitute well
Richer broth: Upgrade with homemade beef stock or add concentrated demi-glace for a deeper flavor.