French Onion Mac and Cheese

Name: French Onion Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 1 tablespoon Butter; 3 Yellow Onion (thinly sliced (use 2 onions if large)); 1 pinch Kosher Salt; 3 sprigs Fresh Thyme; ¼ cup Sherry; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce; 8 ounces Pasta (I used shells); 4 tablespoons Butter; ¼ cup All Purpose Flour; 1 ½ cups Whole Milk; ¼ teaspoon Dry Mustard; ½ teaspoon Cayenne; ¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika; ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder; ½ teaspoon Black Pepper; 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon Reduced Sodium Beef Base (optional (add extra salt if omitting)); 1 cup Cheddar Cheese (shredded (I used Trader Joe's Caramelized Onion Cheddar Cheese)); 1 cup Gruyère Cheese (shredded); 2 tablespoons Butter (melted); 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs; ⅛ teaspoon Cayenne; ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder; Kosher Salt & Black Pepper (to taste); ¼ cup Cheddar Cheese (shredded); ¼ cup Gruyère Cheese (shredded); ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)

10 steps

Prep:20minCook:1h

This French Onion Mac and Cheese is made with deeply caramelized onions, Gruyère, and a creamy cheese sauce, then broiled until golden and bubbly. A rich, cozy, and indulgent twist on classic French onion soup.

Updated at: Mon, 15 Dec 2025 04:27:58 GMT

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Instructions

Caramelized Onions

Step 1

Start the onions: Heat olive oil and butter in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and a big pinch of salt. Stir, cover, and cook for 5 minutes.

Step 2

Caramelize: Reduce heat to medium-low and cook uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden. Add thyme sprigs halfway through.

Step 3

Deglaze: Add the sherry and scrape up any browned bits. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and cook until the liquid reduces. Remove and discard the thyme sprigs.

Mac and Cheese

Step 4

Cook the pasta: While the onions caramelize, boil the pasta 1 minute less than package directions. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.

Step 5

Make the roux: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes until lightly golden. Slowly whisk in the milk. Add dry mustard, cayenne, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and beef base (if using). Increase heat to medium-high and whisk constantly for 3 to 5 minutes until thickened.

Step 6

Add the cheese: Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar and Gruyère until melted and smooth.

Step 7

Combine: Stir the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce. Add a splash of pasta water if the sauce needs thinning. Fold in the caramelized onions.

Topping and Assembly

Step 8

Make the topping: Preheat broiler. Mix the melted butter with panko, cayenne, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Step 9

Assemble: Spoon the mac and cheese into oven-safe crocks or a baking dish. Add the breadcrumb topping, then extra cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan. Finish with cracked pepper.

Step 10

Broil: Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, watching closely, until golden and bubbly. Serve hot.

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