French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese Recipe
This French onion soup mac & cheese is a comforting and flavorful twist on a classic comfort food. Caramelized onions lend a deep, sweet savoriness reminiscent of French onion soup, combined with a creamy blend of Gruyère and sharp white cheddar cheeses. Topped with toasted baguette slices and extra cheese broiled to golden perfection, this dish offers rich, velvety, and indulgent flavors perfect for cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Onions and Aromatics
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Sauce Ingredients
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 4 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
- 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups grated Gruyère cheese
- 1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
Pasta
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
Toppings (Optional)
- French bread or baguette slices for toasting
- Extra grated cheese for topping (about ½ cup)
Instructions
- Caramelize the onions: Slowly cook thinly sliced yellow onions in butter over low heat for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn golden brown and develop a rich, sweet flavor.
- Make the cheese sauce: Sprinkle flour over the caramelized onions and stir well to coat. Gradually whisk in the beef or vegetable broth and half-and-half or heavy cream until the mixture is smooth and thickened. Add minced garlic and dried thyme, then melt in the Gruyère and sharp white cheddar cheeses until creamy and combined. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Cook the macaroni: Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well, reserving a small amount of pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce later.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring every piece is evenly coated with the luscious, velvety sauce.
- Bake or broil optional topping: Transfer the mac & cheese to an oven-safe dish. Top with extra grated cheese and toasted baguette slices if desired. Broil briefly until the top is bubbly and golden brown, mimicking the classic French onion soup crouton finish. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- You can substitute half-and-half with heavy cream or whole milk for a lighter or richer sauce respectively.
- Broiling the topping is optional but adds a deliciously crispy texture and authentic French onion soup flair.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the thickness of the sauce if needed.
- Gruyère cheese is key for its nutty flavor and meltability; do not substitute with milder cheeses.
Keywords: French onion soup, mac and cheese, comfort food, caramelized onions, Gruyère cheese, baked mac and cheese, cheesy pasta, cozy dinner
Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/french-onion-soup-mac-and-cheese-recipe/