Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this French Onion Mac and Cheese. Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with sweet, caramelized onions, this decadent twist on a classic dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, special occasions, or a crowd-pleasing side for holidays.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 500 g (5 cups) elbow pasta
Caramelized Onions:
- 8 large yellow onions
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp salt
Cheese Sauce:
- 800 ml (3 ⅓ cups) evaporated milk
- 300 g (1 ¼ cups) heavy cream
- 600 g (6 cups) mozzarella cheese
- 350 g (3 cups) cheddar cheese
- 450 g (4 cups) smoked gouda cheese
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Slice eight onions thinly. In a large pan, melt butter over medium-low heat, then add the onions and salt. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn deep golden brown, become soft, and have a jam-like consistency. This process can take 30-40 minutes and is essential for developing the sweet, rich flavor that makes this dish special. Add garlic clove and cook it.
- While the onions are caramelizing, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook elbow pasta until it is slightly undercooked. Drain the pasta and set it aside. It will finish cooking in the oven and absorb the creamy sauce.
- In the pan with the caramelized onions, add in all-purpose flour and cook for a minute or two to create a light colored roux. Gradually whisk in evaporated milk and heavy cream, forming a smooth, creamy base. Season the sauce with Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, white pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder to taste.
- Turn off the heat and slowly stir in the cheese in two portions: mozzarella, cheddar, and smoked gouda. Continue to mix until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is velvety smooth.
- Gently fold the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce, ensuring that every piece is evenly coated with the creamy, onion-packed sauce.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with extra cheese. Broil until the top is bubbly and golden brown, which should take about 2 to 10 minutes, depending on your oven.
- Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes before serving. This will let the sauce thicken slightly and make it easier to portion. Serve it as a comforting main dish or as a decadent side for any meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 780
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg