This Creamy French Onion Tortellini is the weeknight dinner dreams are made of. It blends the rich, savory flavor of caramelized onions with tender cheese tortellini and a luscious cream sauce that clings to every bite. Topped off with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh thyme, this dish is pure comfort in a bowl.

Imagine everything you love about French onion soup—deep flavor, buttery onions, cheesy goodness—transformed into a creamy, hearty pasta. It’s a cozy, satisfying meal that comes together quickly but feels restaurant-worthy. If you’re craving indulgent yet simple dinner ideas, this one absolutely delivers.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy French Onion Tortellini
- Ready in under 30 minutes
- Packed with comforting flavor
- Uses store-bought tortellini to save time
- One-pan cleanup
- Feels gourmet, tastes like home
What Kind of Tortellini Should I Use?
For best results, go with fresh or refrigerated cheese tortellini. They cook quickly and have a soft bite that pairs beautifully with the creamy onion sauce. If you only have frozen on hand, just be sure to boil them a couple minutes longer and drain well before adding to the sauce.
Ingredients for the Creamy French Onion Tortellini
Each ingredient in this recipe is chosen to enhance that signature rich, French onion flavor, while keeping the dish simple and achievable.
- Butter: The foundation for caramelizing the onions and adding depth.
- Yellow onions: Sliced thin and cooked down until sweet and golden brown.
- Garlic: Adds another aromatic layer of flavor.
- Thyme: Fresh or dried works to infuse a lovely earthy note.
- Beef broth: Mimics the richness of French onion soup.
- Heavy cream: For the creamy, indulgent texture.
- Cheese tortellini: Store-bought and quick-cooking.
- Parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce and adds that salty bite.
- Salt & black pepper: To balance and enhance all the flavors.
How To Make the Creamy French Onion Tortellini
Step 1: Caramelize the Onions
In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add thinly sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring often, until deep golden brown—this takes about 15-20 minutes but makes all the difference.
Step 2: Build the Base Flavor
Add minced garlic and thyme to the skillet with the onions and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in beef broth and bring to a gentle simmer to deglaze the pan and blend the flavors.
Step 3: Make It Creamy
Stir in the heavy cream and let the mixture warm through. Lower the heat to avoid boiling.
Step 4: Add Tortellini
Toss in your cooked and drained tortellini. Stir to coat in the sauce and cook a few minutes until everything is warm and bubbly.
Step 5: Finish with Cheese
Turn off the heat and stir in grated Parmesan until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper.

Serving and Storing This Creamy Tortellini Dish
This recipe generously serves 4, making it perfect for family dinner or leftovers. Serve hot, straight from the pan with extra Parmesan and a few thyme sprigs for garnish.
To store: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
What to Serve With Creamy French Onion Tortellini?
Garlic Bread
The classic pairing—ideal for soaking up that dreamy sauce.
Simple Green Salad
A crisp side salad with vinaigrette balances the richness.
Roasted Broccoli
Adds some earthy crunch and color to the plate.
White Wine
A dry Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay cuts through the creaminess beautifully.
Grilled Chicken
Great for those who want a little protein on the side.
Roasted Mushrooms
Their umami flavor complements the caramelized onions perfectly.
Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts
Slightly sweet and tangy for contrast.
Want More Pasta Ideas with a Twist?
If this Creamy French Onion Tortellini hits the spot, you’ll love diving into these other comforting creations:
- Creamy Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta – a comforting, indulgent delight
- Cheesesteak Tortellini in Rich Provolone Sauce
- Creamy Beef and Shells – a one-pan classic
- One-Pot Smoked Sausage Pasta
- Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan
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And let me know in the comments how yours turned out! Did you add more cheese? Maybe some white wine to the sauce? I love hearing your creative tweaks and tasty spins.
Explore beautifully curated comfort food recipes on Nora Nosh Recipes Pinterest and discover your next crave-worthy meal!
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Creamy French Onion Tortellini
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Rich, velvety, and packed with French onion flavor, this Creamy French Onion Tortellini is the ultimate comfort food that’s ready in just 30 minutes. With buttery caramelized onions, savory broth, cheese-filled pasta, and a creamy Parmesan finish, this dish is perfect for cozy weeknights or indulgent weekend dinners. It’s a one-pan easy recipe that’s both elegant and hearty—ideal for anyone looking for delicious dinner ideas or a fast yet flavorful pasta meal.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon thyme (fresh or 1/2 tsp dried)
1 cup beef broth
1 cup heavy cream
18 ounces cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized (about 15–20 minutes).
2. Stir in garlic and thyme, cook until fragrant (1–2 minutes).
3. Add beef broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 3–4 minutes.
4. Stir in heavy cream and reduce heat to low, warming through without boiling.
5. Add cooked tortellini to the pan and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
6. Remove from heat, stir in Parmesan cheese until fully melted and creamy.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste, garnish with thyme and serve immediately.
Notes
For even deeper flavor, deglaze the onions with a splash of white wine before adding the broth.
Frozen tortellini works too—just increase the boil time and drain well before adding to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, French-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
