French Onion and Browned Butter Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This French Onion and Browned Butter Pasta is a comforting twist on classic flavors, combining rich caramelized onions with nutty browned butter and creamy parmesan sauce. It’s a luscious dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions that will impress without requiring complicated techniques.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter
• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced into half-moon shapes
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 8 ounces linguine
• 1 cup (238 g) heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup (100 g) parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, melt ¼ cup butter. Add the sliced onions and sauté for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are very tender and caramel colored. Season with ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Transfer the onions to a plate.
2. Step 2: Using the same skillet over medium-high heat, melt ½ cup butter. Stir constantly and scrape the pan as it melts. When the butter turns chestnut brown and emits a nutty aroma, remove the pan from heat and let it cool slightly.
3. Step 3: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 8 ounces linguine until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
4. Step 4: In a food processor or blender, combine the caramelized onions, browned butter, and ½ cup reserved pasta water. Blend until smooth. An immersion blender can also be used.
5. Step 5: Return the blended onion mixture to the skillet over medium heat. Add heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese. Cook, stirring, until the cheese melts and the sauce is warmed through.
6. Step 6: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the creamy sauce. Add more pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
7. Step 7: Serve hot, garnished with additional parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a splash of white wine when cooking the onions before caramelizing.
• Use freshly grated parmesan for the best melting quality and flavor.
• Swap linguine for fettuccine or spaghetti if preferred.
• Add sautéed mushrooms or crispy bacon bits for additional texture and taste.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of cream or pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

This recipe relies on butter, cream, and parmesan for its signature richness, so replacing them can alter the flavor significantly. However, you can substitute with dairy-free butter, plant-based cream, and nutritional yeast as a parmesan alternative for a dairy-free version.

What kind of pasta works best for this sauce?

Long, thin pastas like linguine or fettuccine work well as they hold the creamy sauce nicely. You can also use spaghetti or other similar shapes depending on your preference.

French Onion and Browned Butter Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 68 reviews

This French Onion and Browned Butter Pasta recipe is a decadent and comforting dish combining the rich flavors of caramelized onions, nutty browned butter, and creamy Parmesan sauce. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner with its velvety texture and savory depth, made with simple ingredients and easy steps.

• Author: Rami
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: French-inspired

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Onions

• ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter
• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced into half-moon shapes
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Browned Butter

• ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, room temperature

Pasta

• 8 ounces linguine
• 1 cup (238 g) heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup (100 g) parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the onions: In a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, melt ¼ cup of unsalted butter. Once melted, add the thinly sliced onions and sauté for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions become very tender and achieve a rich caramel color. Season with salt and black pepper. Transfer the caramelized onions to a plate and set aside.
2. Prepare browned butter: Using the same skillet over medium-high heat, melt ½ cup unsalted butter. Constantly stir and scrape the pan as the butter melts and begins to bubble. Watch closely until the butter turns a chestnut brown color and emits a nutty aroma. Immediately remove the pan from heat and set aside to cool slightly to prevent burning.
3. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of linguine and cook until al dente, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
4. Blend onion mixture: In a high-powered food processor or blender, combine the caramelized onions, browned butter, and ½ cup of reserved pasta water. Blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Alternatively, use an immersion blender to achieve the same consistency.
5. Make the sauce: Return the original skillet to medium heat and pour in the blended onion mixture. Add 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and 1 cup of grated parmesan cheese. Cook the sauce over medium heat, stirring frequently until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is heated through and creamy.
6. Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked linguine noodles to the skillet and toss well to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy onion and butter sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add more of the reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency.
7. Serve and garnish: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor.

Notes

• Caramelizing the onions slowly over medium heat enhances their sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Be attentive when browning butter to avoid burning; remove from heat as soon as it turns chestnut brown and smells nutty.
• Reserving pasta water is key to adjusting sauce consistency while helping it adhere to the noodles.
• Use fresh grated parmesan for the best flavor and smooth melting texture.
• This recipe serves 4 but can be easily doubled for a larger gathering.
• Substitute linguine with other long pasta shapes such as fettuccine or spaghetti if preferred.

Keywords: French Onion Pasta, Browned Butter Pasta, Creamy Pasta Recipe, Easy French Onion Recipe, Comfort Food Pasta