One-Pot French Onion Rigatoni Recipe
This One-Pot French Onion Rigatoni is a comforting and flavorful pasta dish that combines the rich sweetness of caramelized onions with savory mushrooms, garlic, and a creamy, cheesy sauce. Cooked entirely in one pot, this recipe simplifies the cooking process while delivering deep, layered flavors with every bite. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner that feels indulgent but is easy to prepare.
- Author: Lily
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 3 yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
Liquids & Dairy
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups chicken or beef stock
- 1/2 cup half and half
Pantry & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons plain flour
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 5–6 sprigs of thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1–2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
Pasta & Cheese
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- Caramelize Onions: Melt olive oil and butter in a large pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and stir frequently. Cook the onions slowly until they become deeply caramelized and sweet, which takes about 20 minutes depending on the pan and onion thickness.
- Add Garlic and Mushrooms: Once the onions are caramelized, add minced garlic and sliced mushrooms to the pan. Stir and cook for about one minute until fragrant and softened.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in the dry white wine and Worcestershire sauce to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. This adds rich depth to the dish.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle in the plain flour while stirring constantly. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the flour is fragrant to remove the raw taste and help thicken the sauce.
- Add Stock and Seasonings: Pour the chicken or beef stock into the pan. Add the thyme sprigs along with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Cook Pasta: Once boiling, add the rigatoni pasta to the pan. Cover and cook, stirring often, until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Remove Thyme: Take out the thyme sprigs and discard them.
- Add Creaminess and Vinegar: Stir in half and half and sherry vinegar until the sauce is smooth and blended.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pan from heat. Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves and freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- To ensure beautifully caramelized onions, be patient and stir frequently to prevent burning.
- Use good quality dry white wine for the best flavor. If preferred, substitute with more stock.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste after the sauce has reduced to avoid over-seasoning.
- Stirring the pasta often while cooking prevents sticking and helps even cooking.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for a superior taste and texture compared to pre-grated cheese.
Keywords: One-Pot, French Onion, Rigatoni, Pasta, Caramelized Onions, Creamy Sauce, Mushroom, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner