Description
French Onion Soup with Cheesy Bread is a rich and savory soup made with caramelized onions, beef broth, and a touch of wine, topped with a hearty slice of toasted bread and melted cheese. A classic comfort food perfect for chilly days.
Ingredients
- 4 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
- 4 slices of crusty French bread
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese (or Swiss cheese)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 25–30 minutes until onions are caramelized and browned.
- Add garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper, and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the white wine (if using) and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for 3–4 minutes to reduce.
- Add beef broth and bay leaf, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 20–25 minutes. If using, stir in balsamic vinegar for added depth of flavor.
- While the soup simmers, toast the French bread slices in the oven or on a skillet until golden brown.
- Preheat the broiler in your oven. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, place a slice of toasted bread on top of each bowl, and sprinkle generously with shredded Gruyère cheese.
- Place the bowls under the broiler for 2–3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, being careful not to burn the bread.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- For a more traditional flavor, use a mixture of beef and chicken broth.
- Gruyère cheese is ideal for melting, but Swiss or mozzarella can be used as alternatives.
- If you don’t have oven-safe bowls, you can toast the cheesy bread separately and place it on the soup just before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop, Broiling
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl with cheesy bread
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
