Lazy French Onion Soup - Easy Recipe for Cozy Nights
Prep Time : 40mins | 4 Servings
If you love comfort food but hate spending hours in the kitchen, you’re going to fall in love with this lazy French onion soup. It’s warm, cozy, and full of flavor. Just like the classic version. However, it takes a lot less time and effort. With a few smart shortcuts, you can enjoy a bowl of this rich and cheesy soup without all the fuss.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make lazy French onion soup using simple ingredients. You’ll also find tips, variations, and answers to common questions. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or serving guests, this recipe is sure to impress.
What Is Lazy French Onion Soup?
Traditional French onion soup is made with slowly caramelized onions, rich beef broth, and a thick layer of melted cheese on top of crusty bread. It tastes amazing, but it also takes a lot of time and patience.
On the other hand, lazy French onion soup gives you the same delicious taste with less work. Instead of slowly cooking onions for over an hour, we speed things up while keeping the flavor. This makes it perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re just too tired to cook.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to try this soup today:
It’s ready in about 40 minutes.
You don’t need any special cooking skills.
The ingredients are simple and budget-friendly.
It’s rich, cheesy, and super comforting.
Everyone in the family will enjoy it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few pantry staples and some cheese and bread to make this recipe.
1. For the soup:
4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons of butter
2 cloves of garlic, minced
½ cup of white wine or cooking sherry (optional)
6 cups of beef broth (or vegetable broth if you want it vegetarian)
1 teaspoon of dried thyme
Salt and black pepper to taste
2. For the topping:
Crusty bread or baguette slices
1 to 1½ cups of shredded Gruyère cheese (or Swiss cheese)
How to Make Lazy French Onion Soup
This recipe is so easy that you’ll wonder why you haven’t tried it before. Follow these simple steps:
1. Cook the onions
- First, melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Then add the sliced onions and a small pinch of salt. Stir them every few minutes so they don’t burn.
- To speed up the process, you can cover the pot for the first 10 minutes. This helps the onions cook faster. After about 20 minutes, the onions should look golden and soft.
2. Add garlic and wine
- Once the onions are caramelized, add the minced garlic. Stir it in and cook for about 1 minute. If you’re using wine, pour it in now. Stir and let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes to reduce.
3. Add broth and seasonings
- Now add the beef broth and thyme. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
4. Toast the bread
- While the soup is simmering, toast your bread slices. You can do this in a toaster or oven until they’re crisp and golden.
5. Assemble and broil
- Once the soup is ready, pour it into oven-safe bowls. Place one or two pieces of toasted bread on top. Sprinkle a generous amount of cheese over the bread.
- Then place the bowls under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
- If you don’t have a broiler, you can melt the cheese in a hot oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
Tips for the Best Soup
Even though this recipe is simple, these tips will help you make it even better:
Use sweet onions if you prefer a slightly sweeter soup.
Stir the onions often so they don’t burn or stick.
If you don’t drink wine, just skip it or use a splash of vinegar instead.
Use stale bread. It holds up better and soaks the soup nicely.
Try mixing cheeses like Gruyère and mozzarella for extra meltiness.
Nutrition Facts
*Per serving of Lazy French Onion Soup (1 bowl, out of 4 servings total)
- Calories320 kcal
- Protein12 g
- Carbs22 g
- Fat20 g
- Saturated Fat10 g
- Cholesterol40 mg
- Sodium700 mg
- Fiber3 g
FAQs
Q1. Can I make this ahead of time?
- Yes, you can! Make the soup in advance and reheat when needed. Add fresh bread and cheese right before serving.
Q2. What kind of onions work best?
- Yellow onions are ideal. However, you can also use white or sweet onions depending on your taste.
Q3.Do I have to use wine?
- No, you don’t. The wine adds flavor, but you can skip it or use vinegar or lemon juice instead.
Try This Tonight
If you’re tired, hungry, and just want something warm and satisfying, this lazy French onion soup is the answer. It’s quick, delicious, and comforting in every bite. Plus, you don’t need to be a chef to make it.
So go ahead, give it a try tonight. Save this recipe, share it with your friends, and don’t forget to leave a comment if you loved it. Your cozy soup night is just a few steps away.
