Description
Rich and Simple French Onion Soup is a comforting, classic recipe featuring tender caramelized onions simmered in beef broth with dry sherry and thyme. Topped with toasted French bread and a blend of provolone, Swiss, and Parmesan cheeses, then broiled until bubbly and golden. Perfect for cozy nights, this savory soup offers deep, layered flavors with a cheesy crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Soup
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups sliced onions
- 5 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons dry sherry
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 4 slices French bread
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 2 slices Swiss cheese, diced
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Gather ingredients: Assemble all required ingredients to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Sauté onions: Melt the butter with olive oil in an 8-quart stock pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and stir constantly until they become tender and translucent, avoiding any browning to maintain a delicate flavor.
- Simmer soup: Pour in the beef broth, add dry sherry and dried thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Let the soup simmer gently for 30 minutes to meld the flavors. Meanwhile, preheat your oven’s broiler for the final cooking step.
- Prepare bowls and toppings: Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Place one slice of French bread on top of each bowl of soup; the bread can be broken into smaller pieces if preferred. Then layer each bread slice with one slice of provolone cheese, half of the diced Swiss cheese, and a tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Broil and serve: Place the bowls on a rimmed baking sheet and broil under the preheated oven until the cheese bubbles and develops a slight golden brown, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Serve the soup hot and enjoy the rich, cheesy topping with each spoonful.
Notes
- This soup is perfect for chilly evenings as the rich cheese topping adds comforting warmth and depth.
- You can substitute the beef broth with vegetable broth for a lighter version, though the flavor will be less intense.
- If preferred, you can caramelize the onions slightly longer for a deeper, sweeter flavor, but avoid burning.
- Use oven-safe bowls to ensure safe broiling without cracks or damage.
- For a vegetarian twist, swap beef broth with mushroom broth and replace cheeses with vegetarian-friendly alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 586 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 1592 mg
- Fat: 44 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 98 mg
