You’ve got to try this Sausage French Onion Pasta! It’s all about the delicious combo of rich, caramelized onions and hearty sausage. Perfect for any occasion, this dish is super easy to whip up and full of flavor. It’s a comforting meal that you’ll want to enjoy again and again.
Sausage French Onion Pasta – Your Next Comfort Food Obsession
Imagine this—a cozy evening, the delightful aroma of caramelized onions wafting through your kitchen, and a comforting bowl of pasta that combines the savory richness of French onion soup with the heartiness of sausage...
Yeah, it's as good as it sounds.
This French onion pasta recipe is one of my favorite dinner dishes. My husband and I probably make it at least once a week, and let me tell you, the leftovers are just as delicious.
French onion soup, with its caramelized onions and rich beef broth, is a classic for a reason. But when you throw in some savory sausage and hearty pasta, it takes those flavors to a whole new level of deliciousness. The sweetness of the onions perfectly balances the salty sausage, and the pasta soaks up all the flavors.
Convinced? Follow along to grab my easy recipe down below!
Ingredients needed
Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the ingredients on hand. Here's what you'll need to create this delectable dish:
- Pork Sausage: I prefer using pork sausage for this recipe as it adds a nice depth of flavor. However, you can also use chicken or turkey sausage if you'd like.
- Pasta: Any kind of pasta works well in this dish. I like using rigatoni, penne, or bowtie pasta, but feel free to use your favorite type!
- Beef Broth: The key to achieving that classic French onion soup flavor is using beef broth. You can also use vegetable broth if you prefer.
- White Wine: Don't worry; the alcohol cooks off during the cooking process and leaves behind a delicious flavor. I recommend using a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. You can also use chicken or vegetable broth instead.
- Onion: This may seem obvious, but the star of this dish is definitely the caramelized onions. Make sure to slice yellow onions thinly for a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Garlic: A little bit of minced garlic goes a long way in adding depth and flavor to this dish.
- Butter: Butter adds richness and helps caramelize the onions perfectly.
- Fresh Thyme Leaves: Fresh thyme leaves add an earthy and herby flavor to balance out the sweetness of the onions. If you can't find any fresh thyme, use dried thyme instead. Just not as many sprigs. Use ¼ teaspoon of dried thyme for every tablespoon of fresh.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This savory sauce adds a deep, rich, umami flavor to the dish.
- Half and Half: This ingredient adds a creamy and velvety texture to the sauce. You can substitute almond milk instead if you'd like.
- Parmesan Cheese: You can't have pasta without cheese! Grated Parmesan adds a nutty and salty flavor that pairs perfectly with this dish.
How to make homemade French onion pasta with sausage
Ready to get cooking? Follow these simple steps to create a dish that's as enjoyable to make as it is to eat.
Start by heating up a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Drizzle in some olive oil, and once it’s nice and hot, toss in the sausage. Break it up into small pieces and cook until it’s no longer pink. When it’s done, drain the grease and set the sausage aside in a bowl.
In the same pot, add a bit of butter. Once it melts, add in some sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Let those cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to caramelize and turn golden brown.
Tip: Don't rush the onions, and don't stir them too much. Let them sit and caramelize on their own for the best flavor.
Next, it’s time to deglaze! Pour in some white wine and scrape up all those tasty brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add in a sprinkle of thyme and let it simmer for another couple of minutes.
Now, pour in your pasta and beef broth, then cover it with a lid. Give it a stir every 2-3 minutes and let it cook until the pasta is just how you like it — usually around 10-12 minutes. When you’re ready, turn off the heat and fish out those thyme bunches.
Stir the sausage back into the pasta, then mix in some Worcestershire sauce, half and half, and grated Parmesan cheese until it’s all nice and creamy.
Serve it up with a little extra Parmesan and some parsley on top. Enjoy your delicious meal!
Recipe Tips
Below are some common French onion pasta questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post! (I’ll answer it ASAP!)
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! Rigatoni is a great choice since it holds sauces really well, but you can totally swap it out for penne, ziti, or even fusilli. Just make sure to cook the pasta al dente for the best texture!
What can I substitute for white wine?
If you'd rather skip the alcohol, no worries! You can swap white wine for the same amount of chicken broth or just a splash of apple cider vinegar for that tangy kick. This way, you still get all the flavor without any alcohol!
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Certainly! Swap the pork sausage for your favorite plant-based sausage or even a medley of mushrooms. You can also just leave out the protein and make it a simple French onion pasta recipe. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth, and you're good to go!
The flavors will still be rich and satisfying.
Storing leftovers
Chances are, this dish will be a hit! But if you find yourself with leftovers, here's how to store them properly:
Place the cooled pasta in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When you're ready to enjoy it again, reheat it in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of broth or half & half to restore its creamy texture.
If you plan to keep it longer, consider freezing individual portions. Simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as needed for a quick and delicious meal.
If you liked this recipe, you'll want to try these!
- Pesto Baked Pasta
- Spicy Fusilli Pasta
- One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- Lightened Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment below and let me know how it was! Also tag @erinliveswhole on Instagram and use the hashtag #erinliveswhole so I can see it and feature you!
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
Sausage French Onion Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- In a large dutch oven, heat to medium-high. Add olive oil and once hot, add sausage. Break into small pieces and cook until no longer pink. Drain grease from sausage and set aside in bowl.
- In same pot, add butter. Once melted, add sliced onions and salt. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until onions have begun to caramelize and brown.
- Add in white wine to deglaze bottom of pan, scraping brown bites as you stir. Add in thyme and cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour in pasta and beef broth and cover with lid. Stir every 2-3 minutes, and cook until pasta is cooked to your liking, about 10-12 minutes. Turn off heat and take out bunches of thyme.
- Add sausage back into pasta. Stir in worcestershire sauce, half and half, and grated parmesan cheese and stir until creamy.
- Serve and top with more parmesan cheese and parsley.
Kaitlyn says
Made this for the first time last night. It is delicious and came together so quickly. YUM! Both my husband and I loved it. Makes for great leftovers too. This will be in our dinner rotation! Thanks, Erin!
Erin says
Hi Kaitlyn, so happy it was a big hit!! 🙂
Macy says
YUM! I’ve never made French Onion anything before but I’m so glad I tried this one! My husband and I LOVED.
Erin says
Hi Macy, so happy you both enjoyed it!!
Allie says
So delicious and easy to follow recipe! Erin never disappoints
Erin says
Hi Allie, so glad you loved it!! 🙂
Molly says
Made it for my family tonight, both husband and toddler approved! It was super delicious 🙂
Erin says
Hi Molly, so happy everyone loved it!! 🙂
WhitG says
I’ve never done a French onion meal because it’s always kind of intimidated me, and I didn’t think my kids would like it. I tried this on a whim because I was out of ideas, and it was a hit! I used turkey sausage and bow tie pasta, and subbed stock for the wine, but otherwise followed the recipe as written. It was fun to make and delicious to eat. Will do again!
Erin says
Hi Whit, so happy you all loved it and you made it your own! 🙂
Sierra says
Made this tonight for my partner, and he put it in top 5! I added extra cheese and mushrooms from the original recipe but this was fabulous 🙂 will be making again!!
JoLynn says
This was DELISH! Very easy to make, the recipe was so easy to follow. This is definitely going to become a staple for us. So tasty!
Erin says
Hi JoLynn, so happy you loved it so much!! 🙂
Erin says
Hi Sierra, so glad you loved it and made it your own! 🙂
JR says
Made it was very good, my family liked it very much but wanted more sauce
Erin says
Hi JR, so happy it was a hit and feel free to modify next time!
Sheena says
Made this for a quick comfort meal tonight—So easy and delicious! Thanks for another great recipe.
Erin says
Hi Sheena, so happy you loved it! 🙂
Kristyn Conrad says
This pasta dish is the perfect winter meal. The flavor has such depth with the carmelized onions, thyme & broth. I paired it with sautéed green beans. Will definitely make it again soon!
Erin says
Hi Kristyn, so glad you loved it so much!!
Taylor says
Delicious! I was looking for a recipe to change up our dinner menu and this one did not disappoint. Thank you!
Erin says
Hi Taylor, so happy you loved it!! 🙂
MAA says
This is one of our favorite go-tos. It’s so flavorful and easy to make. It’s perfect on a cold day when you want a little more than soup
Erin says
Hi, so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Laurie Williams says
What could I use in place of a dutch oven. I am hoping Santa will bring me one but in the meantime, I need a substitute.
Erin says
Hi Laurie, any large saucepan or soup pot will work! Let me know how your pasta comes out!!
Lindsay Baer says
This is hands down one of my favorite meals EVER. My entire family is obsessed with it. It is so hearty and creamy. PERFECT fall/winter meal and it somehow gets better for leftovers as the sausage and pasta absorb the thyme and broth. YUM!!!
Erin says
Hi Lindsay, so happy you all loved it so much! 🙂
Linda says
DELICIOUS!!!
Erin says
Hi Linda, so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Sarah says
So yummy! Everyone in my family devoured it. This was an excellent alternative to the French onion chicken recipe on here (that’s so good too).
Erin says
Hi Sarah, so happy it was such a big hit!! 🙂
Tanya says
What kind of pork sausage? Italian or breakfast?
Erin says
Hi Tanya, I mention I used pork sausage because it adds a nice depth of flavor, but you could try it with Italian too!