I was scrolling TikTok, as one does in the evening, and stumbled on French onion soup pasta. Wait – what did I just see?? Soup in pasta form? I’m listening. This recipe was packed with onions, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce – all the components of a great French onion soup. I’d seen enough, I knew I needed to make a vegetarian version. What I came up with is a simple recipe that’s all made in one pot. The key to developing lots of flavor is to let the onions caramelize on the stove for a while (we’re talking 45+ minutes). Add a splash of vegan Worcestershire sauce and a pinch of nutmeg (a classic French trick) for the ultimate flavor.
You’ll have it on rotation
Made in one pot which saves you from cleaning more dishes. No one likes extra dishes when trying to get dinner on the table. Pantry staple ingredients like onions, pasta, broth, spices, and cheese. We do use some more specialty cheeses but they are available at nearly all stores now! Customizable with the pasta shape or type you pick and additions you might add. An example would be to add white beans and use protein pasta or make this with shell noodles.
Here’s what you’ll need
Ok, these are all pantry staple ingredients and they are either shelf stable or have a long life span in the fridge. Here’s a quick overview of the main ingredients. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients.
Onions: The star of the show! Use white or yellow – you could even mix in a few red onions. Pasta: I use campanelle pasta because it’s fun and floppy, but any kind of pasta will work! Gruyere: This cheese is similar to a white cheddar. It has a nutty and creamy flavor that’s perfect to pair with sweet onions!
How to make French Onion Soup Pasta
Here are the basic steps to make this pasta. The full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post!
Why this Recipe Works
Two cheeses provide the best flavor. Parmesan brings saltiness and gruyere brings gooey creaminess. Classic flavors of traditional French onion soup, including a pinch of nutmeg for extra richness and depth. I wanted to keep the flavors of this pasta very true to the classic French onion soup because that’s what we are after, after all! It can easily be made gluten-free by simply swapping the pasta for gluten-free pasta.
Serve it with…
As with any pasta dish, it’s a love affair that can be paired with just about anything. I lean towards contrasting flavors and textures, so here are my favorites.
Vegan Garlic Bread provides a lovely crunch next to the creamy pasta Crunchy Kale Chickpea Salad can be whipped up while the onions cook. Roasted Brussels Sprouts are crispy and delicious and can be popped in the oven while your pasta cooks on the stove.
