Savory French Onion Beef Pasta Recipe for Cozy Dinner

Simmering with rich, hearty flavors, this French onion beef and pasta recipe blends comfort and elegance in one delightful dish.

Deep caramelized onions mingle with tender beef, creating a symphony of savory notes.

Melted cheese stretches over perfectly cooked pasta, promising a meal that satisfies down to the soul.

The classic French onion profile meets classic pasta in a culinary embrace that feels both familiar and exciting.

Robust beef provides a meaty foundation while golden onions add depth and complexity.

Weeknight dinners never looked so good with this crowd-pleasing combination of ingredients.

One forkful promises to transport you to a cozy bistro with its irresistible aroma and mouthwatering appeal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients That Build Flavor in This Pasta Dish

• Pasta: Captures the hearty foundation of the dish, choose shapes that hold sauce well like orecchiette or elbow macaroni for maximum flavor absorption.

• Lean Ground Beef, Onion Soup Mix: Delivers rich, meaty depth with classic French onion seasoning that elevates the entire dish's taste profile.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic warmth and provides a zesty undertone that complements the beef's richness.
• Tomato Paste: Intensifies the sauce's complexity and creates a robust, concentrated flavor base.

• Frozen Green Peas: Introduces a pop of color, fresh sweetness, and nutritional boost to balance the dish's hearty elements.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes a nutty, salty dimension that enhances overall taste and creates a luxurious texture.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning, helping to layer and brighten the dish's intricate flavor profile.

Tools for Cooking French Onion Beef Right

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning beef and building the sauce, ensuring even cooking and flavor development.
• Pasta Pot: Needed to cook pasta thoroughly and reserve starchy cooking water for sauce.
• Colander: Critical for draining pasta after cooking.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for breaking up beef and stirring ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure pasta water and ingredients.
• Cheese Grater: Allows fresh parmesan cheese to be grated directly into the dish.

Pasta Instructions with Rich Beefy Notes

French Onion Beef and Pasta

• Pasta Preparation

Boil pasta in a pot until perfectly tender. Save some starchy cooking water before draining, which will help create a silky sauce later.

• Beef Browning

Sizzle ground beef in a large skillet, breaking it into crumbly bits. Add fragrant garlic and let it dance with the meat for a minute, releasing incredible aromas.

• Sauce Creation

Introduce onion soup mix and tomato paste into the skillet. Pour in reserved pasta water and let the mixture simmer gently, allowing flavors to mingle and develop depth.

• Pasta Fusion

Toss cooked pasta and frozen peas into the skillet. Sprinkle parmesan cheese, stirring everything together until peas are warm and cheese melts into a creamy embrace.

• Final Touch

Sample the dish and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with extra parmesan for a luxurious finish. Serve hot and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors of this hearty meal.

Variations for Your Onion and Beef Pasta

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Beef Swap Strategy: Experiment with ground turkey, lamb, or plant-based crumbles for a different protein profile that still delivers rich flavor and hearty texture.
• Cheese Lover's Twist: Replace parmesan with gruyère or swiss cheese to enhance the classic French onion soup-inspired taste, adding deeper, more complex cheese notes to the dish.
• Veggie Power Boost: Incorporate additional vegetables like sliced mushrooms, diced bell peppers, or chopped spinach to increase nutritional value and create more layers of taste and color.
• Spice Level Adventure: Kick up the heat by adding red pepper flakes, a dash of smoked paprika, or a splash of hot sauce for those who enjoy a little extra culinary excitement in their meal.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the beef sauce in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to develop and making weeknight dinner preparation a breeze.

Serving Suggestions for This Hearty Dish

• Cozy Family Dinner Delight: Gather the whole family around the table and savor this hearty pasta dish that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening.
• Gourmet Cheese Topping Adventure: Sprinkle extra parmesan or add a handful of crispy breadcrumbs on top for a delightful crunch and elevated flavor experience that takes the dish from simple to spectacular.
• Veggie Boost Bonus: Toss in some additional roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to increase the nutritional value and add extra color and texture to your meal.
• Leftover Magic Transformation: Turn any remaining pasta into a delicious next-day lunch by adding a splash of fresh cream or mixing with a quick homemade salad for a completely new meal experience.

Save Leftovers of Onion Pasta Without Losing Flavor

• Smart Meal Prep: Whip up this delicious pasta dish in advance and portion into individual containers for quick weeknight dinners. It's perfect for busy professionals and families wanting home-cooked meals without daily cooking stress.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover pasta in airtight containers and keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. The sauce might thicken when chilled, so gently reheat with a splash of water to restore its original creamy consistency.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: This recipe freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Separate into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating thoroughly on the stovetop.
• Quick Reheating Hack: When ready to enjoy, warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a little extra pasta water or broth to prevent drying and restore the sauce's silky texture. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and maintain the dish's delicious flavor profile.

Savory French Onion Beef and Pasta Delight

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

This hearty French onion beef and pasta casserole combines rich, caramelized onions with tender beef and comforting pasta. Savory flavors meld together, creating a satisfying meal that welcomes you to enjoy classic comfort cooking.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (0.45 kg) lean ground beef
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 oz (226 g) pasta (orecchiette or elbow macaroni)
• ½ cup frozen green peas
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 ounce (1 packet/envelope) onion soup mix
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
• Salt (to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta in boiling water according to package directions, reserving 1 1/2 cups of starchy liquid for sauce development.
2. Meat Browning: Sear ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, methodically breaking down the meat until achieving a rich, golden-brown color and releasing its robust flavors.
3. Aromatic Infusion: Introduce minced garlic to the browned beef, allowing its fragrant notes to permeate the meat, then integrate onion soup mix and tomato paste, creating a deeply seasoned foundation.
4. Sauce Harmonization: Pour reserved pasta water into the skillet, reducing heat and simmering for ten minutes to meld flavors and create a luxurious, velvety sauce consistency.
5. Final Assembly: Combine cooked pasta with the meat sauce, gently folding to ensure complete coating, then incorporate frozen peas and grated parmesan cheese, stirring to distribute ingredients evenly and create a creamy, cohesive dish.
6. Finishing Touches: Fine-tune the sauce consistency with additional pasta water if needed, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, and garnish with an extra sprinkle of parmesan cheese for an indulgent presentation.

Notes

• Starch Savior: Reserved pasta water is crucial for creating a silky, clingy sauce that helps bind ingredients together perfectly.
• Meat Mastery: Break ground beef into small, uniform pieces while browning to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
• Simmer Secret: Low and slow cooking develops deeper, more complex flavor profiles in the meat sauce.
• Cheese Technique: Add parmesan cheese at the end of cooking to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg