Decadent French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese Comfort Bowl Recipe
This Decadent French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese Comfort Bowl combines the rich, savory flavors of caramelized onions, melted Gruyère, and sharp white cheddar cheese with tender elbow macaroni. Inspired by classic French onion soup, this creamy and cheesy dish is topped with optional toasted baguette slices and extra melted cheese for that perfect golden crust, making it an indulgent and satisfying comfort food.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Onions and Aromatics
- 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
- 1½ cups grated Gruyère cheese
- 1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
Pasta and Topping
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- Optional: French bread or baguette slices for toasting
- Extra grated cheese for topping (about ½ cup)
Instructions
- Caramelize the onions: Slowly cook the thinly sliced yellow onions in butter over low heat for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the onions to turn golden brown and develop a rich, sweet flavor essential for the base of this dish.
- Make the cheese sauce: Sprinkle the 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 the mixture is smooth and thickened. Add the minced garlic and dried thyme, then melt in the Gruyère and sharp white cheddar cheeses until creamy and fully combined. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Cook the macaroni: Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well, reserving a small amount of pasta water just in case you need to loosen the sauce later for better consistency.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the luscious, velvety cheese and onion mixture.
- 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. Place under the broiler briefly until the top is bubbly and golden brown, mimicking the classic French onion soup crouton finish. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Half-and-half can be substituted with heavy cream for a richer sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water when draining macaroni to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- Keep a close eye when broiling the topping to avoid burning the cheese and bread.
- Gruyère cheese provides the signature French onion soup flavor, but you can adjust the cheese blend to your taste.
Keywords: French onion soup mac and cheese, caramelized onion mac and cheese, Gruyère mac and cheese, comfort food, creamy mac and cheese, cheesy pasta bake
