Description
A comforting and indulgent twist on classic macaroni and cheese, this French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese combines deeply caramelized onions, a rich beef broth-based cheese sauce with Gruyère, cheddar, and Parmesan, and tender elbow macaroni. Finished with an optional broiled baguette topping for added texture, this dish delivers layers of savory, cheesy flavor perfect for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
Onion and Sauce
- 4 large onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Topping
- Sliced baguette
- Extra Gruyère cheese for topping
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Caramelize the onions: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until they become deeply caramelized and golden brown, which should take about 30-40 minutes.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Make the roux: Sprinkle the flour evenly over the caramelized onions and stir well to coat. Cook this mixture for about 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Incorporate beef broth and thyme: Gradually whisk in the beef broth and add the thyme leaves. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, roughly 5 minutes.
- Add the cheeses: Reduce heat to low. Stir in Gruyère, sharp cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses until they melt completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir thoroughly to ensure all the pasta is coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Optional broil topping: For an extra touch, transfer the mac and cheese mixture to a baking dish. Top with sliced baguette pieces and sprinkle additional Gruyère cheese over the top. Place under the broiler until the bread is toasted and the cheese topping is golden and bubbly.
- Serve warm: Dish out the French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese hot and enjoy the rich combination of flavors.
Notes
- Caramelizing the onions low and slow is key to developing the deep, sweet flavor iconic to French onion soup.
- Using Gruyère cheese is essential for an authentic flavor, but feel free to substitute with other melting cheeses if needed.
- The optional baguette topping mimics traditional French onion soup croutons and adds delightful texture.
- Be sure to stir frequently when adding flour to onions to avoid lumps in your sauce.
- This recipe can be made ahead up to the point before broiling and reheated.
