French Onion Mac And Cheese (Printable)
Caramelized onions meet creamy three-cheese pasta in this comforting fusion dish, topped with golden crispy breadcrumbs.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
02 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Pasta
03 - 10 oz elbow macaroni or short pasta
→ Dairy & Cheese
04 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
07 - 2 cups whole milk
08 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
09 - 1 1/2 cups Gruyère cheese, grated
10 - 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
11 - 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
→ Other
12 - 1/2 cup dry white wine
13 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
16 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
→ Topping
17 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
18 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
19 - 1/4 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
20 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced onions, thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, for 20 to 25 minutes until deeply caramelized and golden brown. Lower heat as needed to prevent burning.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add white wine and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Simmer for 3 minutes until mostly evaporated. Remove caramelized onions from heat and set aside.
04 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until just al dente. Drain well and set aside.
05 - Wipe the skillet clean if needed. Melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in milk and cream, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, 3 to 5 minutes.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in Gruyère, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth. Season with black pepper.
07 - Fold caramelized onions and drained pasta into the cheese sauce, mixing thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
08 - Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
09 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Gruyère cheese. Mix until breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
10 - Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the pasta. Bake for 20 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. Let rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with parsley and serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The caramelized onions add a natural sweetness that balances the rich cheese sauce without feeling heavy
- It hits that perfect spot between comfort food nostalgia and something that feels like a dinner party
02 -
- Onions need time to properly caramelize, so resist the urge to rush this step as it creates the foundational flavor
- The pasta continues cooking in the oven, so undercook it slightly when boiling
03 -
- If the onions start browning too quickly, lower the heat and add a splash of water
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-grated for better melting