French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese Recipe
A rich and comforting twist on classic macaroni and cheese, incorporating deeply caramelized onions and savory French onion soup flavors. This Mac & Cheese combines tender elbow macaroni with a creamy Gruyère and cheddar cheese sauce infused with aromatic thyme and garlic, topped with toasted baguette slices and melted cheese for a delightful French onion soup-inspired finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-American
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
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 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 smooth and thickened. Add minced garlic and dried thyme, then melt in Gruyère and sharp white cheddar cheeses until creamy and combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the macaroni: Boil 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 version, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth.
- Use half-and-half for a lighter dish or heavy cream for extra richness.
- Keep an eye on the broiler to prevent the topping from burning.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- Gruyère adds an authentic French touch, but you can experiment with other melting cheeses if preferred.
Keywords: French onion soup, mac and cheese, comfort food, caramelized onions, Gruyère cheese, creamy pasta, homestyle, easy dinner
