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–+ servings

French Onion Soup Mac and Cheese

A comforting dish that merges savory French onion soup flavors with creamy mac and cheese, perfect for cozy dinners and potlucks.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, French
Servings 6 servings
Calories 650 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the caramelized onions

  • 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

For the cheese sauce

  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
  • 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
  • 1.5 cups grated Gruyère cheese
  • 1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, grated

For the pasta

  • 12 oz elbow macaroni

Optional toppings

  • French bread or baguette slices for toasting
  • ½ cup extra grated cheese for topping

Instructions
 

Caramelizing Onions

  • Slowly cook the 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.

Making Cheese Sauce

  • Sprinkle flour over the caramelized onions and stir well to coat them.
  • Gradually whisk in the beef or vegetable broth and half-and-half or heavy cream until the mixture is smooth and thickened.
  • Add the minced garlic and dried thyme, then melt in the Gruyère and sharp white cheddar cheeses until everything is creamy and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cooking Pasta

  • Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well, but save a small amount of pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce later.

Combining Ingredients

  • Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, making sure every piece is evenly coated with the luscious, velvety sauce.

Baking

  • Transfer the mac and cheese to an oven-safe dish. Top with extra grated cheese and toasted baguette slices if you like.
  • Broil briefly until the top is bubbly and golden brown. Watch it carefully to avoid burning.

Notes

For the best flavor, take your time when caramelizing the onions. Feel free to mix and match cheeses based on your preference. To make ahead, prepare the macaroni and cheese but stop before broiling. Cover and keep in the fridge, broil just before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 30gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 18gSodium: 850mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5g
Keyword cheesy pasta, Comfort Food, French Onion Soup, Mac and Cheese
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