- November 12, 2024
- Holiday Recipes
French Onion Mac and Cheese Recipe
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this French Onion Mac and Cheese, featuring rich caramelized onions, a blend of nutty Gruyere, Gouda, and Swiss, and a crunchy French fried shallot topping. Each bite is a decadent mix of creamy, savory flavors with a crispy finish that’s perfect for cozy nights in!
Why This Recipe Works
Slow-Caramelized Flavor: The foundation of this French onion mac and cheese is beautifully caramelized onions, which undergo the Maillard reaction during their slow cooking process. As the onions cook down over 20-25 minutes, their natural sugars break down and transform, creating complex sweet and savory flavors that give this dish its signature French onion flavor profile!
Cheesy Goodness: The combination of four different cheeses creates layers of flavor that really take this French onion macaroni and cheese to the next level! Gruyere provides the classic French onion soup note with perfect meltability, while Swiss and gouda cheese brings a creamy flavor and subtle nuttiness, and Parmesan contributes extra umami flavor to the mix.
Classic Turned Fancy: Don’t get me wrong, I love classic mac & cheese. But this French onion mac and cheese takes the classic and makes it more elegant than ever! This version of macaroni and cheese can be served at fancy dinner parties, or simply served for a comforting weeknight dinner!
Supplies Needed
- Oven-Safe Skillet
- Large Saucepan
Ingredients
For the French Onion Mac & Cheese
- Pasta Shells: The curved shape of pasta shells perfectly catches and holds the cheese sauce! If you prefer, you can use macaroni elbows.
- Butter & Onions: Yellow onions are best. Make sure to slice them thinly and caramelize them in plenty of butter.
- Butter & Flour: For the cheese sauce, a roux of butter and flour thickens the sauce to perfection!
- Whole Milk and Half & Half: The combination provides ideal creaminess without becoming too heavy.
- Cheeses: You will need freshly shredded Gruyere cheese, Gouda cheese, Swiss cheese, and Parmesan cheese for the perfect combination of flavors.
- Spices: You will need garlic powder, salt, pepper, and dried thyme for added flavor.
For the Fried Onion Topping
- Shallots: Shallots are thin and more delicate than onions, making them the perfect topping!
- Flour: Flour and breadcrumbs will help create a crispy outer layer.
- Salt & Pepper: To taste.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: To make the fried onions extra crunchy!
- Gruyere: The gruyere will create a melty, cheesy crust after the mac and cheese is baked!
- Oil: Use a neutral oil to fry the onion topping before topping off the mac and cheese with it.
How To Caramelize Onions
- Caramelize the Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tbsp butter. Add the sliced yellow onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes or until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown. Set aside.
Pro tip! Caramelizing onions takes time! To get that deep, sweet flavor, don’t rush caramelizing the onions. Stir them occasionally and cook low and slow—this is where a lot of the French onion flavor shines!
Assembling French Onion Mac and Cheese
Pasta:
- Prep the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cheese Sauce:
- Make Roux: In a large saucepan, melt 4 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
- Add Milk and Half & Half: Gradually whisk in the milk and half and half, cooking until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Spices: Reduce heat to low and stir in the Gruyere, Gouda, Swiss, and Parmesan cheese. Season with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme, stirring until smooth and creamy.
Topping:
- Prep Shallots: Slice the shallots into thin rings, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Coat with Flour Mixture: Toss the sliced shallots with 2 tbsp flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until lightly coated.
- Fry: In a separate skillet, heat a few tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Fry the shallots in batches until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Mix: In a mixing bowl, combine the fried shallots, panko breadcrumbs, and 1 cup Gruyere. Set aside.
Baking and Serving:
- Preheat: Preheat the oven to 375 F.
- Combine Pasta, Cheese Sauce, and Onions: In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, cheese sauce, and caramelized onions. Mix until evenly combined.
- Spread Shallots on Top: Pour the mac and cheese into a greased baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the French fried onion topping evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 15 minutes or until the top is golden and the cheese has melted.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh thyme if desired, serve and enjoy!
What To Serve With It
This French onion mac and cheese recipe is perfect to serve on its own or with some of your favorite side dishes. Especially when feeding a crowd, try serving it with some easy sides like:
- Grilled Broccoli Salad
- Italian Roasted Vegetables
- Shredded Brussels Sprouts & Roasted Veg Salad
- Keto Focaccia Bread
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders
- Bacon Wrapped Delicata Squash
More Recipes To Try
- Smoked Mac and Cheese
- Blackened Chicken Alfredo Pasta
- Homemade Spaghettios and Meatballs
- Chuck Roast Ragu Recipe
- Smoked Bacon Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
French Onion Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups Pasta Shells measure the pasta dry
- 4 tbsp Butter (for the caramelized onions)
- 2 large Yellow Onions thinly sliced
- 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
Cheese Sauce Ingredients
- 4 tbsp Butter (for the roux)
- 2.5 cups Whole Milk
- 4 tbsp Flour
- 1.5 cups Half and Half
- 1 cup Gruyere shredded
- 1 cup Gouda shredded
- 1 cup Swiss shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan shredded
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Dried Thyme
French Fried Onion Topping
- 3 Shallots thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp Flour
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- 1 cup Gruyere Shredded
- Oil for frying the shallots
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Caramelize the Onions:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tbsp butter. Add the sliced yellow onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes or until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown. Remove from the heat and stir in the worcestershire sauce then set aside.
Prepare the French Fried Onion Topping:
- Slice the shallots into thin rings, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Toss the sliced shallots with 2 tbsp flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until lightly coated.
- In a separate skillet, heat a few tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Fry the shallots in batches until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the fried shallots, panko breadcrumbs, and 1 cup Gruyere. Set aside.
Make the Cheese Sauce:
- In a large saucepan, melt 4 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and half and half, cooking until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the Gruyere, Gouda, Swiss, and Parmesan cheese. Season with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme, stirring until smooth and creamy.
Combine and Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 375 F.
- In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, cheese sauce, and caramelized onions. Mix until evenly combined.
- Pour the mac and cheese into a greased baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the French fried onion topping evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Bake for 15 minutes just until the top is golden and the cheese has melted.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh thyme if desired, serve and enjoy!