Rich French Onion Pasta with Caramelized Onions and Gruyere

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 large yellow onions, sliced into 3 mm rings
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• pinch to 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
• 1375 ml water (or beef broth as substitute)
• 354 ml evaporated milk
• 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons beef bouillon granules or base (omit if using beef broth)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced (or 3/4 teaspoon dried)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 454 g short-cut pasta (such as orecchiette), uncooked
• 140 g Gruyère cheese, freshly shredded
• 25 g Parmesan cheese, freshly shredded
• fresh parsley, minced, for garnish (optional)