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French Onion Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto

French Onion Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto
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French Onion Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto is a rich and comforting dish that reimagines classic French onion soup into a flavorful pasta meal. Caramelized yellow onions provide natural sweetness while crispy prosciutto adds saltiness and texture contrast. Combined with creamy Gruyère cheese, fresh herbs, and wide pasta noodles, this recipe is both elegant and satisfying, perfect for easy weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or parsley, rosemary, or sage as optional)

Liquids

  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

Pasta

  • 12 ounces wide noodles such as pappardelle, fettuccine, rigatoni, or penne

Protein & Cheese

  • 6 to 8 slices prosciutto
  • 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese (or Swiss, fontina, parmesan as alternatives)

Optional Seasonings & Garnishes

  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (for heat, optional)
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
  • Extra grated cheese for garnish
  • Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the Onions: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 25-30 minutes until the onions turn a deep golden brown and develop a sweet, rich flavor.
  2. Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the dry white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up all browned bits from the bottom. Let it reduce for a few minutes, then add the chicken or vegetable broth and fresh thyme. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer to develop a savory base for the pasta sauce.
  3. Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, cook your chosen pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining, to adjust the sauce consistency later if needed.
  4. Crisp the Prosciutto: In a separate pan over medium-high heat, fry the prosciutto slices briefly until they become crisp and slightly golden. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat and maintain crunchiness.
  5. Combine and Finish: Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the onion-broth sauce. Toss everything together with the grated Gruyère cheese until the sauce evenly coats the noodles. Use reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency. Finally, top with crispy prosciutto and sprinkle fresh herbs before serving.

Notes

  • Take your time caramelizing onions to develop deep sweetness and flavor.
  • Use high-quality prosciutto for best crispness and taste.
  • Always reserve some pasta water to help the sauce cling to noodles.
  • Fresh herbs brighten the dish and balance rich flavors.
  • Cook pasta to al dente for ideal texture and sauce absorption.

Nutrition

Keywords: French onion pasta, caramelized onions, crispy prosciutto, comfort food, creamy pasta, easy dinner, elegant pasta dish

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