This creamy, gluten-free pasta with caramelized onions takes Mac and Cheese to the next level. Elevate your next holiday dinner, date night in, or rainy day with this recipe!
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From Childhood Favorite to Grown Up Indulgence
Mac and cheese has always been a favorite, even as I preferred Kraft Mac & Cheese's fun shapes and artificial cheese growing up. After going gluten-free in 2018, I found most boxed options lacking. Now, I crave rich, flavorful mac and cheese, like this French Onion version, which far surpasses those overly orange boxed versions.
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Why You'll Love This
This Mac and Cheese recipe truly has it all—caramelized onions, a blend of cheeses, and toasted breadcrumbs, layered to perfection.
Combining the best of French Onion Soup and Mac and Cheese, it features rich, bold flavors that are both cozy and comforting. The first layer includes perfectly caramelized onions, followed by a classic roux for the cheese sauce. A balanced blend of three cheeses adds depth of flavor, and homemade breadcrumbs provide delightful texture to finish it off.
Ingredients
This is everything you will need for this recipe!
- Gluten-free pasta: Provides the hearty base that absorbs the creamy cheese sauce.
For the Caramelized Onions:
- Unsalted butter: Helps caramelize the onions, adding richness.
- Yellow onions: Offer sweet, savory depth central to the dish’s flavor.
- Pepper & salt: Balance the sweetness of the onions and enhance their flavor.
- Vegetable broth: Adds moisture and subtle savory notes during caramelization.
- Worcestershire sauce: Introduces umami and a touch of tanginess to the onions.
For the Cheese Sauce:
- Unsalted butter: Creates a creamy base for the sauce.
- Gluten-free flour: Thickens the sauce to a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Whole milk: Contributes a creamy, rich texture to the sauce.
- Dried thyme, garlic powder, smoked paprika, pepper: Add herbal, savory, and smoky notes to deepen the sauce’s flavor.
- Smoked gruyere, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses: Provide a rich, melty, and flavorful combination of textures and tastes.
- Dijon mustard: Adds tang and balances the richness of the cheese.
For the Homemade Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs:
- Gluten-free bread: Creates a crispy topping that contrasts with the creamy pasta.
- Thyme & garlic powder: Flavor the breadcrumbs, tying them to the dish’s savory profile.
- Fresh parsley: Garnishes the dish with a fresh, bright note.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements!
Substituions & Variations
These tips below can help you adjust the recipe!
- Cheese Swap: Try using a combination of sharp cheddar, gouda, and fontina!
- Onion Variation: If you prefer a sweeter onion flavor, swap yellow onions for sweet onions (like Vidalia) or caramelized shallots!
Please note that this recipe has not been tested with any other substitutions or variations than the ones listed above.
Equipment
All you will need for this recipe includes; a food processor, a dutch oven and a large baking dish.
Instructions
Making Perfectly Caramelized Onions
Caramelizing onions is simple with a little patience. Slice three medium yellow onions into julienne strips and melt eight tablespoons of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, and cook slowly; they will reduce in size as they caramelize.
Stir continuously for about 25 minutes. As they soften and turn translucent, season with half a teaspoon of pepper and a dash of salt. Reduce the heat to medium-low halfway through, add two tablespoons of vegetable broth for flavor and deglazing, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce for complexity. The onions should turn a rich, golden brown when done.
For more tips on caramelized onions, visit my blog post here!
From Roux to Cheese Sauce
Making a roux is simple: combine flour and fat (usually butter) to thicken sauces. Follow these easy steps to create a smooth cheese sauce.
- Melt three tablespoons of unsalted butter in a pot over medium-high heat.
- Gradually whisk in two tablespoons of gluten-free all-purpose flour, mixing continuously until the sauce thickens.
- Slowly add two cups of lukewarm milk, half a cup at a time, stirring until fully incorporated and thickened. Then reduce the heat to medium.
- Add seasonings like smoked paprika, thyme, garlic powder, and pepper, whisking until well mixed.
- Finally, fold in freshly grated smoked gruyere, parmesan, and mozzarella cheese, adding half at a time.
Just remember to add ingredients slowly and whisk continuously for a creamy result!
Adding the Pasta & Secret Ingredient
Cook DeLallo gluten-free pasta al dente according to package instructions, then drain and fold into the cheese sauce. Add caramelized onions in increments for even distribution and stir in Dijon mustard for a tangy kick that enhances the flavors.
Easy Recipe for Homemade Breadcrumbs
Transfer the pasta and cheese sauce to oven-safe ramekins, a baking dish, or a cast iron skillet, spreading it evenly. For homemade gluten-free breadcrumbs, pulse 3 slices of gluten-free bread in a food processor with thyme and garlic powder until fine, then top the mac and cheese.
Use your preferred gluten-free bread (I recommend Schar deli style), pulse 3 slices with 3 teaspoons of thyme and 2 teaspoons of garlic powder in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Then, sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the mac and cheese.
Bake the mac and cheese with breadcrumbs at 350°F for 15 minutes, then broil on high for 3 minutes until golden, watching carefully to avoid burning. Let cool to room temperature, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish alongside a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or pair it with grilled chicken or a juicy steak! You can also top it with crispy fried onions or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like thyme for something a little extra.
Top Tip
Though I usually use Banza or Barilla Chickpea pasta, DeLallo's Gluten-Free Fusilli is the best fit for this recipe. Its sturdy spiral shape holds up well to the cheese sauce and remains firm after reheating, unlike many gluten-free pastas. Plus, it has an authentic Italian taste that enhances the dish.
Storage
Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or freeze for 2-3 months. To reheat, add a splash of milk or cream and warm it in the oven or on the stovetop.
FAQ
Yes, simply skip the meat toppings or pair with a vegetarian protein like roasted vegetables or tofu.
Yes! Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some chopped jalapeños to the cheese sauce for an extra kick.
Related
Looking for more? Check these out!
French Onion Mac and Cheese
Course: Dinner, SidesDifficulty: Easy6
servings45
minutes20
minutesThis delectable pasta recipe is a great side dish for holiday dinners!
Ingredients
1 12oz. box of gluten-free pasta, cooked according to box instructions
- For the Caramelized Onions
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 medium-sized yellow onions
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable broth
1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- For the Cheese Sauce
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk, lukewarm
1 teaspoon of dried thyme
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon pepper
2 cups smoked gruyere cheese, grated
1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- For the Homemade Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs
3 pieces of gluten-free bread
3 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons garlic powder
Fresh parsley for garnish
Directions
- For the Pasta
- Cook the pasta according to the instructions, then set to the side.
- For the Onions
- Add the butter to a large pot or Dutch oven. Melt over medium heat.
- Slice the onions in a julienne-cut, then add to the pot with the melted butter.
- Use a spatula to consistently stir the onions to prevent them from burning for roughly 25 minutes.
- As the onions cook down, they'll begin to look translucent. Season with pepper and salt, continuing to stir.
- At the halfway point, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the vegetable broth. Use the spatula to deglaze the pan, then season with the Worcestershire sauce. Continue to stir.
- After the allotted time, the onions should be a rich, golden-brown color. Remove from heat and cool.
- For the Cheese Sauce
- In a large pot, add the butter and melt over medium-high heat.
- Once melted, add one tablespoon at a time of the flour. Whisk continuously to incorporate the flour and butter until thick.
- Add half a cup of the milk at a time, whisking as you pour. Wait until the sauce begins to thicken before pouring in more milk. Once all the milk is incorporated, the sauce should be smooth and thick.
- Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the seasonings.
- Combine all three cheeses in a large bowl. Add half the cheese at a time. Use the spatula to fold the cheese into the sauce before adding more. Once all the cheese is added, stir until the sauce is smooth again. Then, remove from heat.
- Next, fold in the cooked pasta. Use the spatula to coat the pasta in the cheese sauce.
- Make sure the caramelized onions are room temperature or lukewarm before adding to the pot. Adding a fourth of the onions at a time helps to evenly disperse amongst the pasta.
- Finally, stir in the dijon mustard. Then, transfer the pasta to an oven-safe dish- you can use ramekins, a large baking dish or a cast iron skillet. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- For the Breadcrumbs
- Combine the gluten-free bread and seasonings in a food processor. Pulse until you have fine crumbs.
- Add a layer of breadcrumbs over the Mac and Cheese. Cook on the middle rack for 15 minutes.
- Broil on high for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Then, remove from the oven and cool.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Refrigerate in an air tight container up to four days.
[…] Mac n’ Cheese: Say hello to one of my favorites, my French Onion Mac and Cheese recipe. This creamy, gluten-free pasta with caramelized onions takes Mac and Cheese to the next level. Elevate your holiday ham with this recipe! I can guarantee everyone will be asking for seconds of this dish. […]