French Onion Soup Gratinée
With caramelized onions combined with cheese, herbs and wine, this French Onion Soup Gratinée is a fabulous elegant dish you can enjoy as an appetizer or even as a main course.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time35 minutes mins
Passive Time0 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Servings: 2
Author: Francine Lizotte
Course: Appetizers, Soups & Chowders
Cuisine: French
Keyword Comfort Food, Dinner Party, Holidays & Events, One Pot Meals, Weeknight Recipes
- 4 tbsp. butter
- 1 tbsp. olive oil tips & tricks
- 4 cups mixed onions (red and white), Lyonnaise cut and halved tips & tricks
- 1 large clove garlic, pressed
- 1 tsp. ground Himalayan pink salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, to taste (I always use mixed peppercorns)
- 5 tbsp. Marsala wine see Footnote
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- 2 sprigs thyme (substitute 1/2 tsp. dried thyme) tips & tricks
- 1/4 tsp. garlic salt
- 1 large bay leaf
- 4 slices bread (about 1-inch thick), large enough to fit in your bowls see Recipe
- 1/2 cup Asiago cheese, grated and divided (substitute Swiss, Gruyère or Emmental)
- 2 slices Swiss cheese (substitute Provolone, Gruyère or Emmental cheese)
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter and add oil. When it gets hot, add onions, garlic and salt; sauté for 2 minutes. Add freshly ground black pepper, stir, reduce the heat to medium and cover; cook for 8 minutes, stirring every couple minutes.
Uncover, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking for another 10 minutes, stirring often.
Pour in Marsala wine (*see footnote) and continue stirring; cook until the wine has almost evaporated.
Pour in beef broth and vegetable broth; bring to a simmer.
Add thyme, garlic salt and bay leaf; cook for 15 minutes. When ready to serve, remove thyme and bay leaf. Preheat the broiler and move the rack to the second row from the top.
Place the 4 bread slices on a baking sheet and transfer to the oven; toast until golden brown. Remove from the heat, flip over and return to the oven.
When almost done, sprinkle Asiago cheese on two slices only. Return to the oven and cook until the cheese is melted.
Place each toast with cheese at the bottom of the soup bowls. Ladle the beef broth mixture over and then place toasted sliced bread on top.
Add two slices of Swiss cheese per bowl, sprinkle on the remaining Asiago cheese and transfer the bowls under the broiler. Cook until the cheese is melted and browned, about 3-4 minutes.
Footnote: For a non-alcohol version, use sherry cooking wine.