Comfort food at its finest! French Onion Pasta Bake takes the classic savory soup flavors and transforms it into a nurturing pasta dish with tender noodles, crispy bacon, and sharp colby cheese all swimming in a savory creamy sauce. The French Onion Pasta Bake is warm, welcoming, and absolutely delicious that everyone will love. You’ll be making this on the regular once you try it!
Ingredients
- 13 ounces penne rigate
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup bacon, roughly chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 3 sprigs thyme, plus extra leaves, to taste, for garnish
- 1 (1.4 ounces) packet French onion soup mix
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 1/3 cups cream
- pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups colby cheese, grated
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Step 2 –In a large pot of salted, boiling water, cook the pasta to al dente, according to the package directions.
Step 3 –Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
Step 4 –In a large pan, heat the butter and the oil over medium heat.
Step 5 –Once hot, cook the onion until softened, about 5 minutes.
Step 6 –Add the bacon and cook until browned, about 4-5 minutes.
Step 7 –Add the garlic and 3 of the thyme sprigs and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Step 8 –Add the dry soup packet to the pan and stir.
Step 9 –Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
Step 10 –Gradually stir in the cream.
Step 11 –Season with the pepper.
Step 12 –Add the pasta and toss to coat.
Step 13 –Move the pasta mixture to a baking dish.
Step 14 –Top the pasta mixture with the colby cheese.
Step 15 –Bake until golden, about 20-25 minutes.
Step 16 –Serve hot garnished with the extra thyme leaves!
