Description
French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese is a rich and comforting twist on the classic pasta dish. Sweet caramelized onions are blended into a creamy Gruyère, cheddar, and mozzarella cheese sauce, then topped with buttery Parmesan breadcrumbs for an irresistible baked finish.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and cook for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle in the flour and cook for another minute, stirring constantly.
- Slowly whisk in the vegetable broth, milk, and heavy cream until smooth. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in the Gruyère, cheddar, mozzarella, salt, pepper, and thyme until the cheese is fully melted.
- Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Combine the breadcrumbs with the Parmesan cheese and sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Caramelizing the onions slowly creates the signature French onion flavor.
- Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for extra savory depth.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and reheated with a splash of milk.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: French-American