Description
A creamy, cheesy French Onion Mac & Cheese combining tender pasta, caramelized onions, and melted Gruyère and cheddar cheese. Perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or special gatherings.
Ingredients
12 oz elbow macaroni
4 tablespoons butter
2 large onions, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 cup vegetable broth
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
Fresh thyme or parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook 20–25 minutes until caramelized.
4. Add garlic and cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Sprinkle flour over onions and garlic; cook 1–2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
6. Gradually whisk in milk and vegetable broth until smooth. Simmer until thickened.
7. Stir in Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and paprika.
8. Remove from heat; mix in Gruyère and cheddar until melted and creamy.
9. Combine pasta with sauce and transfer to prepared dish. Sprinkle Parmesan and panko breadcrumbs evenly on top.
10. Bake 20 minutes uncovered until bubbly and golden. Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley before serving.
Notes
Use a mix of cheeses like Fontina, Havarti, or mozzarella for different flavors.
Add cooked bacon or mushrooms for extra savoriness.
For a richer sauce, stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream.
Cover casserole with foil for the first 15 minutes to prevent burning.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze before baking up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked Casserole
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 65mg