French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese Recipe
A delicious twist on classic mac & cheese inspired by French onion soup, featuring caramelized onions, a creamy blend of Gruyère, cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses, topped with crispy Parmesan breadcrumbs, and baked to bubbly perfection.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni
Onions & Aromatics
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Cheeses
- 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning & Topping
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and butter a baking dish to prepare for baking the mac and cheese later.
- Caramelize Onions: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring often, for 25 to 30 minutes until they are deeply caramelized and golden brown. Stir in minced garlic and thyme near the end to release their flavors.
- Make the Roux and Sauce: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Stir in the flour and cook for a minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the vegetable broth, followed by the whole milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously until the sauce is smooth and begins to thicken.
- Melt the Cheeses: Stir in the shredded Gruyère, sharp cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses until they fully melt and integrate into the creamy sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked elbow macaroni (cooked just al dente) with the cheese sauce and caramelized onions until evenly coated.
- Assemble the Dish: Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the grated Parmesan cheese, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese sauce is bubbly and the breadcrumb topping is golden and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh thyme if desired, then serve hot and enjoy the rich, flavorful mac and cheese inspired by French onion soup.
Notes
- Caramelize onions slowly over medium heat to develop rich, deep flavor.
- Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness after baking.
- A blend of Gruyère, cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses adds complexity and creaminess.
- Bake uncovered to maintain a crispy breadcrumb topping.
- Use fresh thyme for optimal aroma, but dried thyme works well in a pinch.
Keywords: French onion soup mac & cheese, caramelized onion mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, Gruyère mac and cheese, comfort food, cheesy casserole
