French Onion Mac and Cheese

Name: French Onion Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter; 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/4 cup dry white wine or beef broth; 1 pound macaroni pasta; 4 tablespoons butter; 1/4 cup all purpose flour; 3 cups whole milk; 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese; 1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Salt and black pepper to taste

A cozy, comforting twist on mac and cheese that features the rich flavors of a classic French onion soup.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 19, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

45 minutes

Total

1 hour

Serves

There is something so special about the way French onion soup warms you up on a chilly day. By combining those deep, caramelized onion flavors with a creamy pasta bake, I created a dish that feels like a big hug in a bowl.

My biggest tip for this recipe is to take your time caramelizing the onions. Keep the heat low and stir them often so they turn a beautiful, deep golden brown. That patience really makes all the difference in the final flavor.

🧺 Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 cup dry white wine or beef broth
1 pound macaroni pasta
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper to taste

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Melt two tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
2
Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and golden brown, which takes about twenty minutes.
3
Stir in the garlic, thyme, and the white wine or broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to get all the tasty browned bits.
4
While the onions cook, boil a large pot of salted water and cook the macaroni according to the package directions until al dente.
5
In a separate saucepan, melt the remaining butter and whisk in the flour to make a roux.
6
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
7
Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the Gruyere, cheddar, and half of the Parmesan until melted and creamy.
8
Combine the cooked pasta, the onion mixture, and the cheese sauce in a large bowl, then pour everything into a greased baking dish.
9
Top with the remaining Parmesan and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for twenty minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.

💡 Tips

This dish is wonderful served with a simple green salad to balance the richness. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days and reheat them with a splash of milk to keep the sauce creamy.

#Comfort Food #Pasta #Vegetarian #Cheesy

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