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French Onion Pasta

Featured in Delicious Main Dish Recipes for Every Occasion.

Whip up this easy, budget-friendly one-pot pasta featuring deeply caramelized onions and Gruyere cheese for a creamy finish. Creaminess achieved without cream!

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Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 20:53:19 GMT
Close-up of a plate filled with creamy pasta finished with grated cheese and parsley. Cheese slices are displayed on the side. Pin it
Close-up of a plate filled with creamy pasta finished with grated cheese and parsley. Cheese slices are displayed on the side. | chefmelt.com

Homemade Cranberry Fluff Delight

I wanna tell you about my go-to holiday treat - cranberry fluff from scratch. It mixes tangy cranberries, sweet pineapple chunks and soft marshmallows all blended in a rich, smooth mixture. It works great as either a side or a sweet finish to your festive meal, and folks always beg me for how to make it.

What Makes This No-Fuss Recipe Special

  • You'll only need a handful of basic ingredients
  • Each spoonful gives you both tang and sweetness
  • You can prep it beforehand to avoid holiday cooking stress
  • It doubles as both a tasty side or a light after-dinner sweet

Simple Components for Cranberry Fluff Creation

  • Fresh Cranberries: These bright berries bring that holiday zing.
  • Granulated Sugar: Balances out the cranberry sourness just right.
  • Cream Cheese: Adds that smooth, rich feeling to our fluff.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates those airy, light puffs.
  • Crushed Pineapple: Brings sunshine flavor to this quick dish.
  • Mini Marshmallows: Gives you that signature pillowy texture.

Quick How-To Guide

Cranberry Breakdown
Throw cranberries and sugar into your food processor and give them a whirl. You want them broken down but not turned to mush.
Whip Up The Creamy Foundation
Get your cream cheese smooth, then mix in cream, sugar and vanilla until it's light and fluffy.
Combine Everything
Carefully mix your cranberries, drained pineapple and those tiny marshmallows. Don't overmix - just enough to bring everything together.
Chill Time
Stick your fluff in the fridge for at least 2 hours so all the flavors can mingle and get cozy.

Tricks For Perfect Results

  • Sugar Soak: Let cranberries sit with sugar for a while - they'll mellow out nicely.
  • Cold Option: Out of fresh berries? Thawed frozen ones work too, just drain them well.
  • Texture Boost: Want some crunch? Add a handful of chopped nuts.
  • Time-Saver: When you're in a hurry, grab some Cool Whip instead of whipping cream.
A close-up of creamy, sauced pasta with parsley garnish in a large skillet. Pin it
A close-up of creamy, sauced pasta with parsley garnish in a large skillet. | chefmelt.com

Do-Ahead Tips and Keeping It Fresh

  • You can throw this together up to 2 days before your gathering - just wrap it up tight in the fridge.
  • It'll stay good in your fridge for about 3 days, but don't try freezing it - that won't work out.

Festive Family Favorite

This cranberry fluff brings together tangy, sweet and creamy flavors in every bite. It's become such a must-have at my family gatherings that the holidays wouldn't feel complete without it. I bet it'll quickly turn into a tradition at your festive table too.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why does this recipe use evaporated milk?

It gives you that creamy sauce texture while being easy to store in your pantry, unlike fresh cream.

→ Is it possible to prepare some steps ahead of time?

Definitely! You can caramelize the onions 1-2 days in advance and store them in the fridge until needed.

→ Why should I stir the pasta so much?

Frequent stirring keeps the pasta from sticking together and helps it cook evenly in the single pot.

→ Can I switch out the Gruyere cheese?

Sure! Gruyere offers classic flavor, but Swiss cheese can work as a decent replacement.

→ What’s the reasoning behind using bouillon and water instead of plain broth?

Bouillon gives a stronger flavor compared to standard broth, but broth works too if it’s what you have.

French Onion Pasta

This creamy pasta is made in one pot with perfectly caramelized onions and a sauce finished with melted Gruyere cheese—all without needing cream.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
60 Minutes
Total Time
75 Minutes

Category: Main Dish Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French-Italian

Yield: 6 Servings (1)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped.
02 1 tablespoon soy sauce (preferably French equivalent brand).
03 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil.
04 5 1/2 cups water.
05 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.
06 1/2 tablespoon cornflour.
07 2 tablespoons concentrated beef stock.
08 2 tablespoons unsalted butter.
09 1 pound short-cut pasta, like penne or fusilli.
10 12 ounces evaporated whole milk.
11 5 ounces Gruyere cheese, shredded.
12 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced.
13 Salt and black pepper, to taste.
14 Fresh herbs and your favorite spices.
15 A dash of red pepper flakes (if you like it spicy).
16 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

Instructions

Step 01

Warm butter and olive oil in a big pot on medium heat until the butter's melted and bubbly.

Step 02

Toss in the sliced onions and season with salt and pepper. Keep stirring now and then for about 30-35 minutes until they've turned a deep golden color.

Step 03

Keep a close eye on the onions. If they're browning too fast, tweak the heat or throw in some extra butter or oil.

Step 04

Add chopped garlic, red pepper flakes, Worcestershire, and soy sauce to the onions. Cook just a little till it smells amazing.

Step 05

Add water and half of the evaporated milk to the pot as you crank up the heat.

Step 06

Whisk the cornflour into the leftover milk until it’s smooth, then pour it into the pot.

Step 07

Sprinkle in the bouillon, herbs, and spices, then bring everything to a good boil.

Step 08

Pop in the dry pasta, then lower the heat so it bubbles gently. Let it cook for 20-25 minutes.

Step 09

Stir frequently to stop the pasta from sticking and make sure it's always under the liquid.

Step 10

Taste the pasta every so often. If the pot’s running dry, add a little water until the pasta’s perfect.

Step 11

Once the pasta's cooked and you've still got a rich sauce, take the pot off the heat.

Step 12

Little by little, add Gruyere cheese and stir till it's melted in completely.

Step 13

Add the Parmesan and stir until the sauce becomes silky smooth.

Step 14

Taste the dish and tweak the flavors by adding more salt, pepper, or other seasonings.

Step 15

If you want a thinner sauce, mix in a bit more water or milk before serving.

Notes

  1. Quick prep with only one pot needed.
  2. Easy on the budget.
  3. Doesn't use heavy cream.
  4. Great for preparing ahead of time.

Tools You'll Need

  • A big pot, like a Dutch oven.
  • Mandoline slicer (optional but handy).
  • Whisk for mixing.
  • Measuring spoons and cups.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (milk, butter, cheese).
  • Has wheat (pasta).
  • Made with soy (soy sauce).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 520
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 65 g
  • Protein: 18 g