French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese

This French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese is a perfect fusion of two classic comfort foods. Combining the savory richness of caramelized onions with a luxuriously creamy pasta, enveloped in a luscious mozzarella and Gruyere cheese-infused sauce. An herbaceous breadcrumb on top adds crispiness to complement this cozy and creamy dinner dish.

Jump to:

• Ingredients Needed to Make French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese
• Inspiration: A Cozy Fusion of French Onion Soup and Mac & Cheese
• Ideal Occasions: When to Make and Share This Gourmet Comfort Food Recipe
• How to Make French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese
• Tips for Crafting a Delicious French Onion Soup Mac and Cheese
• What to Pair with this French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese: Side Dishes and Wine
• Storing and Reheating Your French Onion Soup Mac and Cheese
• Essential Tools for Making French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese
• More Hearty Comfort Food Recipes to Explore
• French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese

Ingredients Needed to Make French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese

• Pasta: I prefer to use Cavatappi for its spiral design, which holds the cheese sauce well, but feel free to choose your favorite pasta shape for this recipe.
• Onions: Yellow onions are my preferred choice for their mild, sweet flavor, but you can opt for white or red onions if you prefer their flavor. Onions form the base of the caramelized goodness in this dish.
• Gruyere Cheese: This French cheese adds a distinct nutty and slightly sweet flavor to your mac & cheese. Its melting quality makes it perfect for creating a smooth, rich cheese sauce.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella cheese brings a creamy and mild flavor to the mix. Its gooey melt-in-your-mouth texture complements the Gruyere cheese, creating a harmonious blend.
• Panko Bread Crumbs: These Japanese-style bread crumbs are known for their extra crunchiness. They are used as a delightful topping to add a crispy contrast to the creamy pasta dish.
• All-Purpose Flour: The flour is a key ingredient in the roux used to thicken the cheese sauce. It ensures a smooth and creamy consistency.
• Whole Milk: Whole milk, with its full-fat content, serves as the base for the luscious cheese sauce, contributing to its creamy texture and richness.
• Dry White Wine: A touch of dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc is used to deglaze the caramelized onions, but feel free to use a bit of beef broth if you prefer.
• Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard provides a hint of tangy flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce adds a subtle umami and tangy note, giving your mac & cheese an extra layer of flavor.
• Beef Bouillon Paste: This concentrated paste amplifies the savory essence in your dish, creating a robust and meaty undertone. I like to use this one.
• Unsalted Butter: Butter enriches the cheese sauce and gives it a luxurious and velvety finish.
• Olive Oil: Used for caramelizing the onions to a deeper, richer color compared to butter.
• Kosher Salt: Used to season the dish and bring out the flavors of the ingredients. Diamond Crystal kosher salt is a staple in my pantry.
• Cracked Black Pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to your mac & cheese.
• Dried Thyme: Dried thyme lends an earthy and herby aroma to both the cheese sauce and the breadcrumb topping.
• Ground Nutmeg: A pinch of ground nutmeg offers a subtle warm and nutty note to the cheese sauce.

Inspiration: A Cozy Fusion of French Onion Soup and Mac & Cheese

This French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese draws its inspiration from the cozy tradition of savoring a warm bowl of French onion soup. The rich and savory flavors of caramelized onions, along with the comforting blanket of melted cheese that graces a piece of crusty bread in this soup, have always been a source of warmth on chilly days.

To capture that warmth and indulgence, I've combined the elements of French onion soup with a warm and comforting baked mac and cheese. The result is a dish that marries the best of both worlds: the caramelized onions infuse every bite with sweet and umami-rich flavor, while the creamy, cheesy sauce, infused with the nuttiness of Gruyere and the melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella, includes a measure of savory beef stock and Worcestershire sauce characteristic of French onion soup. Pasta provides the perfect canvas to carry these rich flavors and an herby breadcrumb topping adds a delightful crunch, creating a dish that pays homage to the timeless comfort of French onion soup while offering a new and satisfying twist.

Ideal Occasions: When to Make and Share This Gourmet Comfort Food Recipe

French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese is a versatile pasta dish that can be enjoyed on a variety of occasions. It’s perfectly at home on your table for a warm Thanksgiving feast, elevated enough to impress guests at a dinner party, and perfect for satisfying those comfort food cravings on an ordinary night or for cozy weeknight family dinners. This homemade macaroni and cheese is ideal for all occasions!

How to Make French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese

With your ingredients in hand, let's dive into creating this delicious and hearty fusion of French Onion Soup and Mac & Cheese. Follow these step-by-step instructions for a mouthwatering oven-baked pasta dish:

Step 1: Caramelize the Onions:

1. Heat 4 teaspoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once it glistens, add 2 medium onions, thinly sliced (about 450 g).
2. Cook the onions for 8-10 minutes, stirring often until they turn translucent. Add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue to cook, stirring every 5-10 minutes, until the onions reach your desired level of caramelization. Deeply caramelized onions can take an additional 45-50 minutes.
3. Once the onions are caramelized, add 2 tablespoon of dry white wine to deglaze the pan. Remove the onions from the pan and reserve to the side.

Step 2: Prepare for Baking:

1. Preheat your oven to 425° Fahrenheit (220° Celcius). Grease a 2.5 qt baking dish with 1 teaspoon of butter and set it aside.
2. In a small bowl, combine 15 g (¼ cup) of panko breadcrumbs with ¼ teaspoon of dried thyme and 1 teaspoon of melted butter. Set this breadcrumb mixture aside.
3. Cook 12 oz (340 g) of your chosen pasta according to the package instructions, reducing the cooking time by 1 minute. Drain the pasta and toss it with 1 teaspoon of butter then set it aside.

Step 3: Create the Cheese Sauce:

1. In a large pot over medium heat, melt 85 g (6 tbsp) of unsalted butter. Once melted, add 30 g (¼ cup) of all-purpose flour. Whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes until the mixture becomes emulsified and bubbly.
2. While whisking, slowly pour in 24 oz (3 cups) of whole milk until the mixture is well combined. Add 2 teaspoon of beef bouillon paste and 2 teaspoon of Dijon mustard.
3. Season the sauce with ½ teaspoon of dried thyme, a pinch of ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon of cracked black pepper. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
4. Add the shredded Gruyere cheese and mozzarella cheese in two batches, whisking after each addition until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust as needed.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake:

1. Add the reserved pasta to the pot and gently fold it in until it's well-coated and saucy. Then, transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
2. Top the mac & cheese with the reserved caramelized onions and the seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the breadcrumbs turn golden brown and everything is warm and melty.

Tips for Crafting a Delicious French Onion Soup Mac and Cheese

Making a delightful French Onion Soup Mac and Cheese is a straightforward process, but it does require a little time and patience to make it extra superb. Here are some tips to help ensure your dish turns out perfectly:

1. Caramelization is Key: Take your time when caramelizing the onions. The deeper and richer the color, the more flavor they'll bring to the dish.
2. Wine or Broth Choice: While dry white wine adds complexity, you can opt for beef broth as an alternative when deglazing the caramelized onions.
3. Pasta Prep: Slightly undercook the pasta as it will continue to cook in the oven. This ensures it remains perfectly al dente after baking.
4. Roux Perfection: When making the cheese sauce, whisk the roux until it's fully emulsified and bubbly for a smooth texture.
5. Cheese Gradually: Add the shredded cheese in batches to the sauce, stirring until fully melted each time. This prevents clumping and ensures a silky texture for your warm and melty.

What to Pair with this French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese: Side Dishes and Wine

Enhance your gourmet French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese with some simple pairings. Consider serving it alongside a light green salad for a fresh contrast. Additionally, a side of crusty baguette or warm garlic bread perfectly complements the creamy goodness. For those who appreciate a well-paired glass of wine, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio can beautifully complement the dish's flavors.

Storing and Reheating Your French Onion Soup Mac and Cheese

To keep your French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese at its best for later enjoyment, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheating Leftovers

Oven: Preheat to 350° Fahrenheit (175° Celcius), place your oven-safe dish inside, cover it with foil, and bake until everything's nicely heated through.

Microwave: For reheating in the microwave, place your serving in a microwave-safe dish and heat it in 60-second increments until it's thoroughly warmed.

Essential Tools for Making French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese

• A 2 ½ qt baking dish
• A kitchen scale
• Liquid measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• A cutting board
• A chef's knife
• A cheese grater
• A large skillet
• A large pot
• A colander
• A silicone spatula
• A bowl or plate (to transfer the caramelized onions to)
• A small prep bowl
• A fork

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More Hearty Comfort Food Recipes to Explore

Love this French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese? Here are some more of our favorite comfort food recipes for hearty dinners that will help keep you warm and cozy:

• Pasta with Butternut Squash Sauce and Chorizo
• Christmas Eve Lasagna
• Jumbo Meatballs with Marinara
• French Lentil Soup
• Swedish Meatballs
• Pressure Cooker Beef Bourguignon
• Salmon with Whisky Cream Sauce and Cheddar Mashed Cauliflower
• Risotto with Mushrooms and Peas
• Taleggio Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Red Pepper Flakes and Honey
• Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas with Chipotle Pumpkin Sauce
• Cottage Pie with Horseradish Cauliflower Mash

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