French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese Recipe
This French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese is a decadent twist on a classic comfort dish, combining rich caramelized onions with a creamy blend of Gruyère, cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses. The mac and cheese is topped with a crispy Parmesan breadcrumb crust and baked to golden perfection, delivering comforting flavors that are both hearty and sophisticated.
- 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 leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
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 Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and butter a suitable baking dish to prevent sticking and aid browning.
- 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 deeply caramelized, about 25 to 30 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and thyme towards the end to enhance flavor.
- Make the Roux and Sauce: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Stir in the flour to create a roux, cooking for about 1 to 2 minutes until it forms a paste. Slowly whisk in the vegetable broth, then gradually add the milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly until the sauce is silky smooth.
- Add Cheeses and Season: Stir in the shredded Gruyère, sharp cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses into the sauce, continuing to cook until all the cheese is melted and incorporated. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss cooked elbow macaroni, cooked to al dente, with the cheesy onion sauce mixture, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated with the rich sauce and caramelized onions.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to the buttered baking dish. Mix the breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese and sprinkle the topping evenly over the mac and cheese to create a crispy crust.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the baked mac and cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving, then garnish with fresh thyme for an aromatic finish.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth for a richer taste.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure the broth is vegetable-based and cheeses are free from animal rennet.
- Using freshly grated cheese melts better and provides a creamier texture than pre-shredded varieties.
- Caramelizing onions slowly is key to developing the deep, sweet flavor that mimics the essence of French onion soup.
- Allowing the dish to rest after baking helps the sauce thicken slightly for easier serving.
Keywords: French Onion Soup, Mac and Cheese, Baked Macaroni, Comfort Food, Cheesy Pasta, Caramelized Onions, Gruyère Cheese
