French Onion Mac and Cheese Recipe
This French Onion Mac and Cheese is a rich and comforting dish featuring sweet, caramelized onions combined with creamy Gruyere and Parmesan cheese over tender pasta, topped with seasoned breadcrumbs and baked to golden perfection. A decadent twist on classic mac and cheese, it’s perfect for cozy dinners or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients
Scale
Onion and Base
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 1 pound short cut pasta, cooked according to package directions
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups milk
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
Cheese and Topping
- 12 ounces Gruyere cheese, freshly grated
- 4 ounces Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ⅓ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- Fresh thyme, for serving
Instructions
- Caramelize the onions: Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions with a large pinch of kosher salt and cook, stirring often, for 10 to 15 minutes until softened. Reduce the heat to low or medium-low and continue cooking, stirring frequently, for 60 to 90 minutes until the onions are golden brown and caramelized. Add a few splashes of water as needed to prevent burning.
- Preheat oven and prepare pasta: While onions finish caramelizing, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Make the roux and sauce: Once the onions are caramelized, transfer most to a plate reserving some for topping. To the same skillet, add butter and melt over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Stir in the nutmeg and continue cooking until the sauce thickens.
- Add cheese and combine: Stir in most of the Gruyere and Parmesan cheese, reserving a small amount for topping, until melted into the sauce. Fold in three-quarters of the caramelized onions. Then add the cooked pasta and toss everything together thoroughly to combine.
- Assemble and bake: Top the mac and cheese with the remaining cheese and caramelized onions, then sprinkle evenly with seasoned bread crumbs. Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves, and serve hot for a rich and flavorful twist on classic mac and cheese.
Notes
- If you’re short on time, add 1 teaspoon of sugar, honey, or maple syrup to the onions to speed caramelization, but stir frequently to prevent burning.
- Using an oven-safe skillet simplifies baking and serving in one dish.
- Seasoned bread crumbs add extra flavor and texture; plain bread crumbs can be used with a little added seasoning.
- Gruyere cheese provides a nutty, creamy flavor, but you can substitute with Swiss cheese if unavailable.
- Make sure to cook the pasta al dente to avoid it becoming mushy after baking.
Keywords: French onion, mac and cheese, caramelized onions, Gruyere, Parmesan, baked pasta, comfort food
