Decadent French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese Comfort Bowl Recipe
This Decadent French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese Comfort Bowl is a rich and creamy twist on classic mac and cheese, inspired by the flavors of French onion soup. Caramelized onions slowly cooked to a sweet, deep flavor form the base, combined with a luscious Gruyère and sharp white cheddar cheese sauce. Elbow macaroni is enveloped in this velvety mixture and optionally topped with toasted baguette slices and extra cheese, then broiled to golden perfection for a comforting, indulgent meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-American
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
- Caramelize the onions: Slowly cook thinly sliced yellow onions in butter over low heat for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn golden brown and develop a rich, sweet flavor.
- Make the cheese sauce: Sprinkle flour over the caramelized onions and stir well to coat. Gradually whisk in the beef or vegetable broth and half-and-half or heavy cream until smooth and thickened. Add minced garlic and dried thyme, then melt in the Gruyère and sharp white cheddar cheeses until creamy and combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the macaroni: Boil elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well, reserving a small amount of pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce later.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring every piece is evenly coated with the luscious, velvety sauce.
- Bake or broil optional topping: Transfer the mac & cheese to an oven-safe dish. Top with extra grated cheese and toasted baguette slices if desired. Broil briefly until the top is bubbly and golden brown, mimicking the classic French onion soup crouton finish. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
Notes
- Take your time caramelizing the onions low and slow for the best deep, sweet flavor.
- Combine Gruyère and sharp cheddar cheeses for a perfect balance of nutty sweetness and tangy sharpness.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the consistency of the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Broil toppings carefully since they can burn quickly.
- Add fresh thyme near the end of sauce preparation to preserve its brightness and aroma.
Keywords: French onion soup mac and cheese, caramelized onion macaroni, Gruyère mac and cheese, comfort food recipe, creamy mac and cheese
