French Onion Mac and Cheese

Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings

Description

This French onion soup mac and cheese recipe makes this mac and cheese an upscale version of the classic, comforting dish that everyone loves.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
2 large onions, very thinly sliced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup beef broth
1 cup milk
1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg, or to taste
3/4 pound shredded Gruyere cheese

Directions

1 Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir onions, thyme, and bay leaf in butter for 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until onions are browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a plate and discard bay leaf. Reserve the skillet.
2 Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
3 Meanwhile, melt remaining butter in the reserved skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour for 1 minute, then whisk in beef broth and milk and bring to a boil; season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in Gruyère cheese until melted.
4 Drain macaroni and toss with onion and sauce until well combined.