Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts Recipe
This French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese combines the rich, caramelized flavors of traditional French onion soup with creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese. Featuring slowly caramelized onions, a velvety cheese sauce made with Gruyère, sharp cheddar, and mozzarella, and finished with a golden Parmesan breadcrumb topping baked to perfection, this dish offers a savory twist on a classic comfort food.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni
Caramelized Onions
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter (for onions)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously butter a baking dish to prevent sticking and help with browning.
- Caramelize the Onions: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring often, for 25 to 30 minutes until they are deeply caramelized and soft. Add minced garlic and thyme in the final minutes to infuse flavor.
- Make the Roux and Sauce: To the skillet with onions, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, stir in the flour and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the vegetable broth, then the milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously until the mixture is smooth and thickened.
- Add the Cheeses and Season: Stir in the shredded Gruyère, sharp cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked al dente elbow macaroni into the cheese sauce along with the caramelized onions, ensuring even coating of the pasta.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the grated Parmesan cheese for a flavorful, crispy topping.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture over the top.
- Bake to Finish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the topping is golden brown and bubbly, signaling the dish is heated through and ready to serve.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy the rich, cheesy goodness of French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese!
Notes
- Use whole milk and heavy cream for a richer sauce, but milk alone can be a lighter alternative.
- Caramelizing onions takes time but is essential to develop the deep flavor reminiscent of French onion soup.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
- Gruyère is key for authentic French onion flavor; substitute with Swiss cheese if unavailable.
- Make sure pasta is cooked al dente, as it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Breadcrumb topping adds texture; omit or replace with crushed crackers for variation.
Keywords: French onion soup, mac and cheese, caramelized onions, comfort food, baked pasta, cheesy casserole
