There's something incredibly comforting about a bubbling bowl of French Onion Soup topped with perfectly melted cheese on golden toast. This French Onion Soup with Cheese Toast Recipe stands out with its rich broth and that irresistible cheesy crust, making it a true soul-warming classic worth every delicious bite.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make French Onion Soup with Cheese Toast Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve French Onion Soup with Cheese Toast Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- French Onion Soup with Cheese Toast Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I remember the first time I made this French Onion Soup with Cheese Toast Recipe on a chilly evening—it filled the kitchen with the most amazing aroma of caramelized onions and melted cheese. It’s simple, yet feels so indulgent and special without needing extravagant ingredients.
- Deeply flavored broth: The slow-simmered onions combined with beef broth and a touch of sherry create a soup that’s both rich and nuanced.
- Cheese toast magic: The triple cheese topping toasted to bubbly perfection adds texture and a savory finish you’ll find hard to resist.
- Comfort food at its best: This soup is hearty enough for a meal but light enough to keep you feeling cozy and satisfied.
- Easy entertaining: Elegant enough for guests but easy enough for busy weeknights, making it versatile to whip up anytime.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This French Onion Soup with Cheese Toast Recipe relies on classic ingredients that balance sweetness, savoriness, and richness. Each one plays an important role in creating the final cozy bowl you’ll love.
- Unsalted butter: Adds creamy richness and helps gently soften the onions without burning.
- Olive oil: Prevents sticking and adds an extra layer of flavor when caramelizing onions.
- Onions: The star of the show—slow-cooked until tender and translucent, never browned, for a delicate sweetness.
- Beef broth: Gives the soup a hearty, robust base that contrasts perfectly with the sweetness of the onions.
- Dry sherry: Just a splash adds beautiful depth and a touch of acidity to lift the flavors.
- Dried thyme: Brings subtle herbaceous notes that enhance the savory profile.
- Salt and pepper: Basic but essential to balance all the flavors.
- French bread: Perfectly crusty, it soaks up the soup yet crisps nicely under the broiler.
- Provolone cheese: Melts smoothly and adds a mild, creamy flavor.
- Swiss cheese: Its nutty, slightly sweet notes complement the provolone gorgeously.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, savory punch and beautiful browning when broiled.
Make It Your Way
I love that this recipe is both straightforward and flexible. Over time, I’ve experimented a bit—sometimes swapping cheeses or adding herbs—and you can totally do the same to suit your taste.
- Variation: One time, I added a splash of dry white wine alongside the sherry for a slightly different acidity that I really enjoyed, but it’s just as delicious without it.
- Dairy-free option: Swap in your favorite plant-based cheeses and olive oil-based spread for butter to make this dairy-free while still enjoying the cheesy toast vibe.
- Vegetarian version: Substitute vegetable broth for beef broth to keep it meat-free without losing the comforting factor.
- Extra depth: Throw a clove of garlic in while simmering the broth for a subtle kick that mingles well with the thyme.
Step-by-Step: How I Make French Onion Soup with Cheese Toast Recipe
Step 1: Gently Cook the Onions Until Tender—but Not Browned
Start by melting the butter with olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and stir constantly to soften them. The key here is to let them become tender and translucent but avoid any browning, which gives a totally different flavor profile. Patience makes all the difference here—I usually spend about 10 minutes on this step, stirring carefully.
Step 2: Simmer with Broth, Sherry & Thyme
Once the onions are perfectly softened, pour in the beef broth, add the dry sherry and dried thyme, then season with salt and pepper. Let the soup simmer gently for 30 minutes to marry the flavors. I like to cover it partially and stir occasionally—you'll notice the broth becomes infused with sweet, rich onion flavor.
Step 3: Prepare the Cheese Toast Toppings
While the soup simmers, preheat your oven’s broiler. When ready, ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, then top each bowl with a slice of French bread. If you prefer smaller bites, breaking the bread into pieces works too. Layer each with provolone, diced Swiss, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. This triple cheese combo gives a beautiful rich crust when broiled.
Step 4: Broil Until Cheese Bubbles and Browns
Place the bowls on a rimmed sheet pan to catch any drips and slide them under the broiler. It takes just 2 to 3 minutes for the cheese to bubble and turn golden brown—keep a close eye so it doesn’t burn. Once bubbly and inviting, it’s ready to serve!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that make this French Onion Soup with Cheese Toast Recipe come out perfectly every time. These are my go-to tips that I’m excited to share with you!
- Constant stirring on onions: Stir the onions often to soften them evenly and prevent browning or scorching, which can make the soup taste bitter.
- Don’t rush simmering: That 30-minute simmer is magic—it deepens all flavors and creates the signature richness you want in French onion soup.
- Use an oven-safe bowl: This saves you the hassle of transferring soup and topping into another dish for broiling—just make sure your bowls are heatproof.
- Watch the broiler closely: Cheese goes from golden brown to burnt fast, so stay close and pull the soup out the moment it bubbles and browns.
How to Serve French Onion Soup with Cheese Toast Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep garnishes simple—just a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a few thyme leaves on top to add a bit of color and fresh herb aroma. It’s subtle but makes the bowl look inviting and vibrant.
Side Dishes
This soup shines as a standalone meal, but when I want a bit more on the side, I go for a crisp green salad with vinaigrette or a light roasted vegetable side. Something fresh cuts through the richness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, I love serving the soup in mini cast-iron crocks topped with a single slice of a baguette and a mix of cheeses. It’s a charming way to make each bowl feel special and rustic. Plus, it’s fun seeing everyone gather around the table with their toasty bowls!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I've stored the soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually keep the cheese toast toppings separate and only broil fresh when reheating—this keeps the toast crispy and cheese perfectly melted every time.
Freezing
This soup freezes well just as the broth and onions—skip the cheese toast topping when freezing. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then heat on the stove before adding freshly broiled cheese toast toppings.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the soup gently on the stovetop until hot but not boiling, then add your fresh bread and cheese, broiling until bubbly. This keeps everything tasting fresh and avoids soggy toast.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While provolone, Swiss, and Parmesan create a perfect melty and flavorful combo, feel free to experiment with Gruyère, mozzarella, or even cheddar depending on what you enjoy or have on hand.
This particular recipe keeps the onions tender and translucent without browning for a lighter flavor. However, traditional recipes often caramelize onions deeply for a richer, sweeter taste. If you prefer that depth, you can brown the onions slowly until golden before adding broth.
Yes! Substitute the beef broth with a rich vegetable broth and skip the sherry if you prefer. The soup will still be flavorful and comforting, especially when paired with the cheesy bread topping.
Keep a close eye during broiling as cheese can brown quickly. Place the bowls on a lower rack if your broiler is very intense, and remove from heat as soon as the cheese bubbles and develops light golden spots for perfect results.
Final Thoughts
This French Onion Soup with Cheese Toast Recipe holds a special spot in my recipe collection because it’s a classic with a gentle twist—comforting and elegant without fuss. I love sharing it with friends because it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s approachable for any home cook. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it brings warmth and joy to your table like it has to mine!
Print
French Onion Soup with Cheese Toast Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Description
A rich and simple French Onion Soup recipe featuring tender onions simmered in beef broth with sherry and thyme, topped with toasted French bread and a blend of provolone, Swiss, and Parmesan cheeses broiled to bubbly perfection. Perfect for cold nights and comfort food lovers.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 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
- 1 pinch pepper
Toppings
- 4 slices French bread
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 2 slices Swiss cheese, diced
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Assemble all the ingredients needed for the soup to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Sauté Onions: Melt butter with olive oil in an 8-quart stock pot over medium heat. Add sliced onions and stir continually until the onions are tender and translucent but not browned.
- Simmer Soup: Add the beef broth, dry sherry, and dried thyme to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the soup simmer gently for 30 minutes to develop rich flavors. Meanwhile, preheat the oven broiler.
- Prepare Bowls: Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe serving bowls. Place one slice of French bread on top of each bowl. If preferred, break the bread into pieces for easier layering.
- Add Cheese Layers: Layer each slice of bread with one slice of provolone cheese, half a slice of diced Swiss cheese, and one tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Broil: Place the bowls on a rimmed sheet pan and broil in the preheated oven for 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese bubbles and browns slightly.
- Serve: Remove from oven carefully and serve hot. Enjoy the comforting combination of savory soup and cheesy toasted bread topping.
Notes
- This French onion soup is enriched by the combination of three cheeses, adding depth and texture.
- Be careful not to brown the onions during sautéing to maintain a sweet and mild flavor.
- Use oven-safe bowls that can withstand broiling to ensure safe cooking.
- If you prefer a vegetarian option, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth and omit the Swiss cheese if containing rennet.
- Bread can be toasted slightly beforehand if you want extra crunch under the cheese layers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 586 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1592 mg
- Fat: 44 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 98 mg


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