Name: How to Make French Onion Soup with Cheese Topping Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 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 and pepper to taste; 4 slices French bread; 4 slices provolone cheese; 2 slices Swiss cheese, diced; 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese

There's something truly comforting about a warm bowl of French onion soup topped with golden, melted cheese. Knowing how to make French Onion Soup with Cheese Topping recipe perfectly at home will become your go-to for cozy nights or impressing guests without fuss.

A light blue pot with a white inside surface is filled with thin slices of yellowish white onions. The onions are being mixed with melted butter or oil, which pools slightly on one side of the pot. A wooden spoon with a smooth texture is stirring the onions from the right side of the pot. The pot sits on a flat, white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make How to Make French Onion Soup with Cheese Topping Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve How to Make French Onion Soup with Cheese Topping Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
How to Make French Onion Soup with Cheese Topping Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can't tell you how many times making this soup from scratch has become a favorite ritual. The deep, sweet flavor of slow-simmered onions combined with that irresistible cheese topping truly elevates simple ingredients into a classic French delight.

Rich Flavor: The caramel-like sweetness from gently cooked onions creates a deeply satisfying broth.
Easy to Homemade: Using everyday pantry staples makes this recipe approachable for any weeknight.
Triple Cheese Topping: Provolone, Swiss, and Parmesan combine beautifully for that perfectly bubbly, golden crust.
Great for Sharing: This soup feels fancy but comes together quickly, making it great for cozy dinners with loved ones.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this soup brings a special component. The butter and olive oil gently soften onions without browning, the beef broth adds savory depth, and the mix of cheeses up top creates that irresistible French onion soup signature finish.

Flat lay of a large white ceramic bowl filled with thinly sliced fresh yellow onions, a small white bowl with pale golden unsalted butter, a small white bowl with clear green olive oil, a large white ceramic bowl containing rich dark beef broth, a small white bowl with amber dry sherry, a small white bowl with dried thyme sprigs, a small white bowl with coarse salt and cracked black peppercorns, four rustic slices of crusty French bread, four slices of creamy white provolone cheese, a small pile of diced pale yellow Swiss cheese, and a small mound of finely grated white Parmesan cheese, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Controls richness without added salt; helps melt onions gently.
Olive oil: Adds a touch of fruitiness and prevents sticking.
Sliced onions: The star ingredient; cooking slowly unlocks their natural sweetness.
Beef broth: Gives the soup a meaty backbone for authentic flavor.
Dry sherry: Adds subtle acidity and complexity.
Dried thyme: Classic herb that complements onions perfectly.
Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing flavors.
French bread: Crispy base for the cheese to melt over.
Provolone cheese: Melts beautifully with mild creaminess.
Swiss cheese (diced): Adds nutty flavor and great melt texture.
Grated Parmesan cheese: Sharp, salty finish enriching the topping.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I often swap in different cheese combinations or add a splash of brandy instead of sherry when I'm feeling adventurous — you should experiment and find what you love!

Variation: For a lighter take, try using chicken broth instead of beef, but keep the triple cheese topping for that satisfying finish.
Dietary Modification: Use a good quality vegetarian broth and a mix of plant-based cheeses to make this vegan-friendly.
Extra flavor: Add a teaspoon of fresh garlic with the onions for a garlicky kick that elevates the richness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make How to Make French Onion Soup with Cheese Topping Recipe

There are three white ceramic pots with turquoise handles, each filled with dark brown onion soup topped with a single toasted round bread slice covered in melted, browned cheese. The pots are placed on a silver metal tray with a textured surface, and two silver spoons rest on the tray, one inside a pot and one beside the pots. The background is a white marbled texture photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Slowly soften the onions without browning

Start by melting the butter with olive oil in a big stock pot on medium heat. Add your sliced onions and stir constantly for about 10 minutes. The key here is patience — you want them tender and translucent, not browned or caramelized yet. I usually talk myself through this step; it's strangely calming!

Step 2: Build your flavorful broth

Pour in the beef broth, then stir in the dry sherry and thyme. Season lightly with salt and pepper — remember, the cheese and broth already bring saltiness so taste as you go. Let the soup simmer gently for 30 minutes to let the flavors marry beautifully.

Step 3: Prepare the cheesy bread topping

While the soup simmers, preheat your oven's broiler. Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Trust me, don’t skip this step — using the right bowls makes cleanup easier and safety better. Place one slice of French bread on each, then pile on the provolone, diced Swiss, and a sprinkle of Parmesan on top. I like breaking the bread into smaller pieces if my bread slices are thick — it helps cheese distribute more evenly.

Step 4: Broil to bubbly perfection

Pop the bowls on a rimmed sheet pan (to catch any drips) and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese bubbles up and browns just right. Keep a close eye here — cheese can go from gorgeous to burnt fast. As soon as you see that golden crust forming, you’re good to serve!

Top Tip

I’ve made this French onion soup more times than I can count, and a few tricks made all the difference in achieving that perfect bowl every time.

Don't rush the onions: Take your time here. Soft, translucent onions build the base for overall sweetness and depth.
Use oven-safe bowls: It’s tempting to serve in anything, but bowls that handle broiling safely are essential for a great cheese topping and to avoid cracks or spills.
Watch the broiler: Cheese browns quickly. Stay close and pull them out the moment you see that bubbly, golden perfection.
Quality cheese matters: Using provolone, swiss, and parmesan together creates a wonderful balance of melt and flavor that one cheese alone can’t achieve.

How to Serve How to Make French Onion Soup with Cheese Topping Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and let the cheese topping shine, but if I’m feeling fancy, a sprinkle of fresh thyme or chopped parsley right after broiling adds a fresh, herbaceous note that brightens each bite.

Side Dishes

This soup fills you up, but I love pairing it with a crisp green salad dressed simply with lemon vinaigrette or a roasted vegetable medley for balanced comfort.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, serving the soup in mini cast iron crocks or ramekins adds charm. You can even make individual cheese toasts alongside for extra dipping fun — trust me, guests love this little touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover soup (without the bread and cheese topping) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keeping the bread separate lets me re-toast it fresh when reheating.

Freezing

This soup freezes nicely — just freeze the broth with onions in portions. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove. Add fresh bread and cheese topping for broiling before serving.

Reheating

I reheat the soup over low heat on the stove to avoid reducing the broth too much. Then I add fresh toasted bread and cheese on top and broil for 2-3 minutes to revive that bubbly, golden topping magic.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use yellow onions instead of white onions?

Yes! Yellow onions work beautifully and are often preferred because they develop a natural sweetness that suits French onion soup perfectly. Just slice them thinly and cook gently.

What’s the best type of bread for French onion soup?

French bread is ideal because it crisps well under the cheese without becoming soggy too fast. A baguette or rustic country loaf sliced about ½-inch thick works great.

How do I prevent the cheese from burning while broiling?

Keeping a close eye is really key. Broil on the top rack but check every minute or so. Pull the soup out as soon as the cheese bubbles and shows a light golden brown.

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Definitely! Substitute the beef broth for a rich vegetable broth and use vegetarian-friendly cheese or vegan cheese melts. The slow-cooked onions provide plenty of savory depth even without meat.

Final Thoughts

This simple, rich recipe has been a homemade staple for me through many seasons. It’s cozy, luscious, and the triple cheese topping feels downright indulgent. I promise you’ll feel proud serving this up, whether it’s a quiet night in or sharing with friends. Give how to make French Onion Soup with Cheese Topping recipe a try—it’s a small cooking adventure with delicious, comforting rewards.