French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese Recipe
A comforting and indulgent twist on classic mac & cheese, this French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese combines caramelized onions, a rich blend of Gruyère, cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses, and a velvety creamy sauce. Topped with crispy Parmesan breadcrumbs and baked to golden perfection, it’s a perfect dish for cozy dinners or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni
Onion Mixture
- 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
- 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 butter a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- 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, until they caramelize to a deep golden brown, about 25–30 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and thyme to infuse their flavors.
- Make the Roux and Sauce: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet with the onions. Stir in flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Slowly whisk in the vegetable broth, then milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly until the sauce is smooth and begins to thicken.
- Melt the Cheeses: Lower the heat and stir in the Gruyère, sharp cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses until melted into the sauce. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked al dente elbow macaroni into the cheesy onion sauce, mixing well to coat every piece.
- Assemble the Dish: Transfer the macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish. In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese and evenly sprinkle this mixture over the top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes or until the top is bubbly, golden, and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh thyme if desired and serve hot for a delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- Cooking the onions slowly is crucial to develop their sweetness and deep flavor.
- Use freshly grated cheeses for better melting and flavor.
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute vegetable broth with beef broth if not vegetarian.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and baked before serving.
- Leftovers reheated in the oven maintain the crispy topping better than microwaving.
Keywords: French Onion Soup, Mac and Cheese, Caramelized Onions, Baked Macaroni, Comfort Food, Gruyère, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Creamy Cheese Sauce, Baked Pasta
