**French Onion Pasta: A Scrumptious Blend of Tastes**
French Onion Pasta is an enticing dish that merges the deep, savory tastes of French onion soup with the soothing consistency of creamy pasta. This recipe is ideal for those who appreciate a fulfilling meal infused with a hint of sophistication. With a total cooking duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes, this dish feeds six and is guaranteed to delight your family and friends.
**Ingredients:**
– 4 tablespoons butter
– 4 large onions, sliced
– 2 tablespoons oil
– 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), chopped into bite-sized pieces
– 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon (smoked) paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon pepper
– 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced (optional)
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon thyme, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
– 3 cups beef broth
– 8 ounces pasta (gluten-free for gluten-free)
– 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free for gluten-free) (optional)
– 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
– 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
– 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
– 1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan cheese), grated
– 1 cup Gruyere cheese (or Swiss), shredded (optional)
**Directions:**
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter, add the onions, and cook until they are caramelized, for approximately 1 hour, stirring occasionally. When the bottom of the skillet begins to collect brown bits, pour in 1/4 cup of water and deglaze the pan by scraping up the browned bits, continuing to cook.
2. In a separate pan heated over medium heat, add the oil, then the chicken seasoned with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, and cook for about 8-10 minutes before removing from the heat.
3. Incorporate the mushrooms into the pan previously used for the chicken, and sauté for about 8-10 minutes before setting aside.
4. Once the onions are ready, add the garlic and thyme, and sauté until aromatic, around a minute.
5. Stir in the broth, chicken, mushrooms, pasta, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard, combine well, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the pasta is tender, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Mix in the cream and Parmesan until it fully blends into the sauce.
7. Sprinkle the Gruyere on top, allow it to melt, and enjoy!
**Options:**
– Cook the pasta separately, decreasing the broth from 3 cups to 1 cup, and incorporate the cooked and drained pasta after simmering the sauce in step 5.
– Add 1 tablespoon brown sugar simultaneously with the broth.
– To melt the Gruyere, cover and cook on the stovetop for a few minutes or transfer to the oven and broil for one minute.
**Nutrition Facts:**
– Calories: 532
– Fat: 31g (Saturated 15g, Trans 0.2g)
– Cholesterol: 137mg
– Sodium: 786mg
– Carbohydrates: 43g (Fiber 3g, Sugars 8g)
– Protein: 33g
This French Onion Pasta is a rich, tasty dish that unites the finest elements of French onion soup and pasta. Relish this comforting dish with your dear ones!