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Easy Onion Pasta

Featured in Reliable Evening Meals.

This wallet-friendly pasta dish combines gooey Gruyere cheese and caramelized onions in a creamy one-pot meal. Cream-free but still dreamy.

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Aisha
Updated on Thu, 20 Mar 2025 01:14:16 GMT
Close-up of creamy pasta topped with cheese and parsley, served with cheese slices nearby. Pin it
Close-up of creamy pasta topped with cheese and parsley, served with cheese slices nearby. | cookingflavor.com

Light Cranberry Fluff Delight

Here's my go-to cranberry fluff that's now my holiday trademark. This simple dish mixes tangy fresh cranberries, juicy pineapple chunks and soft marshmallows all folded into a silky smooth mixture. It works great as either a side or sweet ending to your festive meal, and folks always want to know how I made it.

What Makes This Quick Dish Special

  • You'll only need a handful of common ingredients
  • Each spoonful gives you that perfect tangy-sweet combo
  • You can prepare it beforehand to cut down on holiday chaos
  • It's versatile enough for a side or a lighter dessert option

Simple Items You'll Need

  • Fresh Cranberries: They bring that festive tang to the dish.
  • Granulated Sugar: Balances the cranberry tartness just right.
  • Cream Cheese: Adds that smooth richness to our fluff.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates that airy, soft texture.
  • Crushed Pineapple: Gives a touch of tropical sweetness to the mix.
  • Mini Marshmallows: They're what make it truly fluffy.

Quick How-To Guide

Cranberry Mixing
Put your cranberries and sugar in the food processor and pulse. You want them broken down but not mushy.
Whip The Base
Get your cream cheese nice and smooth, then add the cream, sugar and vanilla. Keep beating until it's light and airy.
Combine Everything
Carefully fold the cranberries, drained pineapple and marshmallows into your cream mixture. Don't overmix.
Cool It Down
Let it sit in your fridge for at least 2 hours so all the flavors can mingle together.

Tricks For Best Results

  • Sugar Soaking: Give your cranberries time with the sugar to mellow their tartness.
  • Cold Option: Don't have fresh? Thawed frozen cranberries work well too.
  • Texture Boost: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans gives a nice crunch.
  • Time Saver: In a rush? You can swap in Cool Whip for this dish.
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. | cookingflavor.com

Prep Ahead Options

  • You can mix this up 2 days before your event if it stays wrapped in the refrigerator.
  • It'll stay good in your fridge for about 3 days, but don't try to freeze it.

Family Favorite Treat

This cranberry fluff brings tangy, sweet and creamy flavors in each bite. It's such a staple at my family gatherings that Thanksgiving or Christmas wouldn't feel complete without it. Once you try it, I bet it'll become a must-have at your holiday table too.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why choose evaporated milk?

It makes things creamy, stores well in your pantry, and doesn't use fresh cream.

→ Can onions be prepped ahead?

Sure! Caramelize them, refrigerate, and use them within two days.

→ Why stir the pasta regularly?

It stops clumping and helps everything cook equally in a single pot.

→ Is another cheese okay?

If you don’t have Gruyere, Swiss cheese gives a similar taste.

→ Why mix bouillon with water?

You get a bolder flavor this way, though broth on its own works too.

Easy Onion Pasta

Deeply caramelized onions create the rich base for this one-pot pasta, topped with gooey melted Gruyere cheese, no cream needed.

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

Category: Dinner

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French-Italian

Yield: 6 Servings (1)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 pound short pasta.
02 5 oz Gruyere cheese.
03 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
04 12 oz evaporated milk.
05 5 1/2 cups water.
06 Salt and pepper.
07 3 large yellow onions, sliced.
08 3 tablespoons olive oil.
09 2 tablespoons butter.
10 Fresh herbs and seasonings.
11 4 garlic cloves, minced.
12 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch.
13 1 tablespoon soy sauce.
14 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.
15 Red pepper flakes.
16 2 tablespoons beef bouillon.

Instructions

Step 01

In a large heavy pot, warm up olive oil with butter over medium until melted and foamy stops forming.

Step 02

Throw in onion slices, season with salt and pepper, then cook, stirring now and then, until they turn a rich golden brown. This takes 30-35 minutes.

Step 03

Watch over your onions carefully. If they start to burn, tweak the stove heat or add a bit more fat.

Step 04

Stir in the minced garlic, sauces, and pepper flakes. Let them cook just a moment for the flavors to come out.

Step 05

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

Step 06

Mix the rest of your evaporated milk with the cornstarch until smooth, then add it to the pot.

Step 07

Toss in your seasonings, bouillon, and herbs while waiting for the mixture to boil.

Step 08

Add the dry pasta, then lower to a bubbling simmer just above medium heat for about 20-25 minutes.

Step 09

Stir the pasta regularly during cooking to make sure it’s staying under the liquid.

Step 10

Check the pasta regularly and top off with extra water if it’s needed until pasta is firm but cooked.

Step 11

Take the pot off the heat once the pasta is perfect and the sauce is still saucy.

Step 12

Stir in small amounts of Gruyere at a time until it’s melted into the sauce.

Step 13

Add Parmesan to the dish, stirring until everything turns creamy and smooth.

Step 14

Taste a bite and make tweaks to the seasoning if it’s necessary.

Step 15

Add some more liquid if you prefer your sauce to be looser.

Notes

  1. Cooks in one pot.
  2. Affordable ingredients.
  3. Skips heavy cream.
  4. Make it ahead of time.

Tools You'll Need

  • Heavy large pot.
  • Mandoline slicer (ideal).
  • Wire whisk.
  • Cup measures.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Butter and cheese contain milk.
  • Pasta has wheat.
  • Soy sauce includes soy.

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