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Decadent French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese Comfort Bowl Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 67 reviews

This Decadent French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese Comfort Bowl combines the rich, caramelized flavor of French onion soup with creamy, cheesy mac and cheese for a comforting and indulgent dish. Slowly caramelized onions, melted Gruyère and sharp white cheddar create a luscious sauce, perfectly coating al dente elbow macaroni. Optional toasted baguette slices and extra cheese topping add a crunchy, golden finish reminiscent of classic French onion soup.

Ingredients

Scale

Onion Base

  • 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cheese Sauce

  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
  • 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
  • 1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, grated

Pasta & Topping

  • 12 oz elbow macaroni
  • Optional: French bread or baguette slices for toasting
  • Extra grated cheese for topping (about 1/2 cup)

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the onions: Slowly cook the thinly sliced yellow onions in butter over low heat for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. This process allows the onions to turn golden brown and develop a rich, sweet flavor that forms the savory foundation of the dish.
  2. Make the cheese sauce: Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the caramelized onions and stir well to coat. Gradually whisk in the beef or vegetable broth along with the half-and-half or heavy cream until the mixture is smooth and thickened. Add minced garlic and dried thyme, then melt in the grated Gruyère and sharp white cheddar cheeses until the sauce is creamy, fully combined, and seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  3. Cook the macaroni: Boil elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. After cooking, drain the pasta well, reserving a small amount of pasta water in case you need to thin the cheese sauce for better consistency.
  4. Combine pasta and sauce: Mix the cooked macaroni into the prepared cheese sauce, ensuring every piece is thoroughly coated with the smooth, velvety cheese mixture for maximum flavor and creaminess.
  5. Bake or broil optional topping: Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to an oven-safe dish. Top with extra grated cheese and optionally place toasted baguette slices on top. Place under the broiler briefly until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown, mimicking the classic French onion soup crouton finish. Monitor closely to prevent burning.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian option, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth.
  • Use half-and-half or heavy cream depending on desired richness; heavy cream will yield a richer sauce.
  • Caramelizing onions slowly is key for developing deep flavor; do not rush this step by increasing the heat.
  • Optional toasted baguette slices add traditional texture and flavor, but can be omitted for a gluten-free version.
  • If sauce is too thick after combining with pasta, use reserved pasta water to loosen it to desired consistency.

Keywords: French onion soup mac and cheese, caramelized onion mac and cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta, Gruyère mac and cheese

Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/decadent-french-onion-soup-mac-and-cheese-comfort-bowl-recipe/