French Onion Mac and Cheese
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
2 hrs
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
2 hrs 30 mins
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Servings
12 people
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course
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Cuisine
American
French Onion Mac and Cheese
Description
French Onion Mac and Cheese starts with slowly caramelizing thinly sliced sweet onions in olive oil and salt until they are golden and richly sweetened. The caramelization process can take up to 90 minutes, requiring attention to prevent burning. Next, cooked short-cut pasta is combined with a creamy sauce made by whisking flour and butter into a roux, then slowly adding milk and seasoning with nutmeg. Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses are melted into the sauce, providing a smooth, lightly nutty cheese flavor complemented by the sweet onions. Finished with a topping of seasoned breadcrumbs and fresh thyme, the dish is baked to form a crisp, golden crust that contrasts with the soft, cheesy interior.
The texture is creamy and indulgent with contrasting crunchy topping elements. The slow-cooked onions provide depth and a hint of sweetness that balance the savory cheeses and mild nutmeg in the béchamel. Suitable as a warming main or side, this casserole fits well alongside simple green salads or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 sweet onion thinly sliced, large
- salt kosher salt
- black pepper kosher salt
- 1 pound pasta cooked, short cut
- 3 tablespoons butter unsalted
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups milk
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg freshly ground
- 12 ounces gruyere cheese freshly grated
- 4 ounces Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- ⅓ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- thyme for serving, fresh
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-heat. Stir in the onions with a big pinch of salt. Cook over medium, stirring often, until the onions soften, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Decrease the heat to low or medium-low. Cook the onions, stirring often, for about 60 to 90 minutes, until they are golden and caramelly. If at any time the onions start to burn, low the heat or add a few splashes of water to keep them hydrated.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Boil the pasta according to the package directions.
- Once the onions are golden and caramelly, transfer them to a plate. (Note: if you’re really in a rush, you can add 1 teaspoon of sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc to speed along the caramelization process. Be sure to stir often and check on the progress!)
- Add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, add in the flour, whisking to create a roux. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until it becomes golden in color and starts to smell nutty. Slowly stream in the milk while stirring constantly. The mixture will begin to come together and thicken. Stir in the nutmeg.
- Stir in almost all of the cheese (reserve a bit for topping) until it is melted. Add in ¾ of the caramelized onions. Stir in the pasta. Toss it together over and over until it is combined.
- Top with the remaining cheese on top along with the remaining onions. Sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
- Remove and sprinkle with fresh thyme. Serve!
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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