Caramelized Onion Mac and Cheese
Creamy, savory, and sweet in every bite, this upgraded mac and cheese recipe features deeply caramelized onions, melty Gruyère and Parmesan, and a buttery breadcrumb crust. It’s perfect for dinner parties, holidays, or whenever you want something a little extra.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 large sweet onions thinly sliced
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 1 pound short-cut pasta cooked
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups milk
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- 12 ounces Gruyère cheese freshly grated
- 4 ounces Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- ⅓ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- Fresh thyme for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet.
- Add onions and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium until softened.
- Lower the heat and cook onions, stirring often, until deeply caramelized.
- Add water if needed to prevent burning.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta as directed and drain.
- Set onions aside once caramelized.
- See full steps with tips & photos → https://mischacrossing.com/caramelized-onion-mac-and-cheese/
Notes
- You can caramelize the onions ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For added richness, try mixing in a splash of heavy cream to the sauce.