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Tasty French Onion Pasta

Featured in Perfect Pasta Dishes.

Golden onions meet Gruyere in this one-pot, flavor-packed pasta without using heavy cream. Budget-friendly and rich in taste!

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Updated on Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:54:25 GMT
A cozy bowl of pasta covered in grated Gruyere and parsley, with cheese slices on the side. Pin it
A cozy bowl of pasta covered in grated Gruyere and parsley, with cheese slices on the side. | cuisinegenial.com

Tasty Cranberry Fluff From Scratch

I want to tell you about my go-to holiday treat that everyone goes crazy for. This cranberry fluff mixes tangy fresh cranberries, juicy pineapple chunks and soft marshmallows all blended into a smooth, airy mixture. It works brilliantly as a light side or after-dinner sweet during festive gatherings, and folks always beg me for how to make it.

What Makes This Mix So Special

  • You'll only need a handful of basic items to whip it up
  • Each spoonful gives you the perfect mix of tangy and sugary flavors
  • You can prepare it a day early to save time during celebrations
  • It's flexible enough to serve as a side or finish to your meal

Simple Items You'll Need

  • Fresh Cranberries: These tart berries give the dish its festive kick.
  • Granulated Sugar: Balances out the cranberries' sourness wonderfully.
  • Cream Cheese: Adds a rich smoothness to the blend.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates the light, airy texture.
  • Crushed Pineapple: Brings a sunny, juicy sweetness to the mix.
  • Mini Marshmallows: They give that signature puffy feel.

Quick Guide to Making It

Get Your Cranberries Ready
Chop up the cranberries with sugar using your food processor. Don't overdo it, aim for small bits rather than mush.
Create Your Cream Mix
Soften the cream cheese by beating it well, then add cream, sugar and vanilla until it looks puffy and light.
Put Everything Together
Carefully mix in your prepared cranberries, drained pineapple chunks and those fluffy little marshmallows without crushing the air out.
Let It Rest
Stick your creation in the fridge for at least 2 hours so all the tastes can blend together nicely.

Tricks For Perfect Results

  • Sugar Soak: Give cranberries time with the sugar and they'll mellow out nicely.
  • Cold Option: Out of fresh berries? Thawed frozen ones work just fine if you drain them.
  • Texture Boost: Want some crunch? Throw in a handful of chopped nuts.
  • Time Saver: In a rush? Ready-made whipped topping can stand in for fresh 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. | cuisinegenial.com

Prep Early and Keep Fresh

  • You can fix this up to 2 days before your event if you wrap it well in the fridge.
  • It'll stay good for about 3 days when refrigerated, but don't try to freeze it.

Festive Favorite Everyone Loves

Every spoonful of this cranberry fluff gives you that perfect mix of tang, sweetness and creaminess. It's become such a must-have at our family gatherings that the holidays wouldn't feel complete without it. Once you share this with your loved ones, I bet they'll ask for it year after year too.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why pick evaporated milk?

It's shelf-stable and gives a creamy texture without needing heavy cream.

→ Can you plan ahead?

Sure, you can prepare the onions a couple of days earlier and store them in the fridge.

→ Why stir the pasta regularly?

Stops it from sticking and helps everything cook evenly in one pot.

→ Is alternative cheese okay?

Gruyere's flavor shines here, but Swiss makes a good swap.

→ What's up with bouillon and water?

Gives stronger flavor than broth, though broth works too.

French Onion Pasta

A single-pot creation of golden caramelized onions paired with a creamy, no-cream sauce, topped off with Gruyere cheese.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
60 Minutes
Total Time
75 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Pasta

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French-Italian

Yield: 6 Servings (1)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 3 big yellow onions, sliced thin.
02 A pinch of salt and some pepper.
03 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
04 2 tablespoons of butter.
05 4 minced garlic cloves.
06 Dash of red pepper flakes.
07 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch.
08 1 tablespoon of soy sauce.
09 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.
10 5 1/2 cups of water.
11 12 oz of evaporated milk.
12 2 tablespoons of beef bouillon.
13 Fresh herbs and preferred spices.
14 1 lb of short pasta.
15 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.
16 5 oz of Gruyere cheese.

Instructions

Step 01

In a big Dutch oven, heat olive oil and butter together on medium. Wait for the butter to stop bubbling.

Step 02

Throw in your onions with a touch of salt and some pepper. Stir now and then for around 30 minutes until deep brown and sweet.

Step 03

Watch those onions closely! If they seem like they're burning, lower the heat or toss in a bit more fat.

Step 04

Mix minced garlic, red pepper flakes, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce into the onions, and let it cook till it smells amazing.

Step 05

Turn the heat up high and pour in the water and half the evaporated milk.

Step 06

Stir the rest of the milk with cornstarch in another container until it's silky smooth, then pour it into your pot.

Step 07

Add in your bouillon, favorite herbs, and seasonings. Let the liquid boil.

Step 08

Dump in the raw pasta, turn the heat to medium-high, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes.

Step 09

Keep stirring every so often to make sure all the pasta is soaking up the liquid.

Step 10

Keep tasting the pasta now and then. If it seems dry and isn't soft yet, just add more water.

Step 11

Once the pasta's cooked and there's still a little sauce, take it off the stove.

Step 12

Slowly stir in Gruyere cheese until it's melted and blended into the sauce.

Step 13

Toss in Parmesan and stir until it's all creamy and smooth.

Step 14

Taste it! Add more spices or herbs if you think it's missing something.

Step 15

Want it runnier? Go ahead and stir in a splash of water or milk.

Notes

  1. Made in one big pan.
  2. Great on a budget.
  3. No need for heavy cream.
  4. Works well if prepped in advance.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big Dutch oven.
  • A mandoline slicer (helpful, not required).
  • Whisk for stirring.
  • Measuring cups or spoons.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy like butter and cheese.
  • Includes wheat from the pasta.
  • Has soy due to the 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