Description
This French Onion Soup Rice is a comforting and flavorful side dish that combines deeply caramelized onions with tender white rice and melted Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses. Inspired by classic French onion soup, this one-pan recipe uses simple ingredients and stovetop cooking to create a creamy, cheesy rice dish that’s perfect for cozy dinners or as a delicious accompaniment to your favorite meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (or Swiss)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onion and cook, stirring frequently, for 15 to 20 minutes until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, creating the rich flavor base for the dish.
- Add Butter and Garlic: Stir in the unsalted butter and minced garlic, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant to enhance the aroma and taste.
- Toast the Rice: Add the long grain white rice to the skillet and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, allowing the rice to toast slightly and absorb the flavors.
- Simmer with Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the beef broth along with Worcestershire sauce, fresh thyme leaves, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.
- Melt the Cheeses: Turn off the heat and stir in the shredded Gruyère and grated Parmesan cheeses until melted and creamy, melding the savory onion and rice flavors with cheesy richness.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the dish sit for 5 minutes to thicken up. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving warm for a comforting and flavorful side dish.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the beef broth with vegetable broth and use a vegetarian Worcestershire sauce or omit it.
- To create a casserole-style variation, bake the dish with extra cheese on top until bubbly and golden.
- Gruyère can be replaced with Swiss cheese if unavailable.
- Use fresh thyme for a more vibrant flavor, but dried thyme works well too.
