French Onion Mac & Cheese | Easy Baked Pasta Dish For The Whole Family

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

gruyère cheese

🥗Healthier: Emmental cheese

💰Cheaper: mozzarella

Emmental is similar in flavor, while mozzarella is more accessible.

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water + bouillon cube

Vegetable broth is lighter and suitable for vegetarians.

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: Pecorino Romano

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free, while Pecorino is often less expensive.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Toss the sliced baguette with olive oil, thyme, and salt. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until golden and crisp. Pulse the toasted bread in a food processor and set aside for later.

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add in the sliced onions, thyme, salt, and broth, bringing it to a gentle boil. Stir well and set aside to cool.

In another large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Add in the shredded mozzarella, cheddar, mustard, nutmeg, and about ⅔ of the caramelized onions. Stir until everything is well combined. Pour the cooked pasta into the sauce and mix well until fully coated.

Top the pasta with the remaining ⅓ of caramelized onions and sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top. Broil for about 5 minutes, until golden and crispy. Serve & enjoy!

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens