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!
Jump to RecipeFrom Childhood Favorite to Grown Up Indulgence
There's never a bad time for mac and cheese! Growing up, I loved Kraft Mac & Cheese with its fun shapes and artificial cheese flavor, even preferring it over my family's homemade recipe.
When I went gluten-free in 2018, I still reached for the box. However, experimenting with my own recipes revealed just how average most boxed options are. Now, I crave indulgent mac and cheese, packed with rich flavors and quality ingredients. That's exactly what this French Onion Mac and Cheese recipe delivers—far superior to the overly orange versions of the past!
What Makes This Recipe the Best?
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.
Making Perfectly Caramelized Onions
Caramelized onions elevate any dish, and making them is simpler than it seems. The key is patience and time, and yellow onions are ideal due to their natural sweetness.
Start by slicing three medium-sized yellow onions in a julienne-cut for even cooking. Melt eight tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large pot over medium heat, then add the onions. Although it may seem like too much, they will reduce in size as they cook.
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
Cooking a roux doesn't have to be complicated. A roux is a mixture of flour and fat (usually butter) used to thicken sauces, and it can be easily broken if not handled properly. Follow these simple 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!
Choosing a Gluten-Free Pasta
If you follow my blog, you know I usually use Banza or the Barilla Chickpea pasta. However, after testing various options, I found DeLallo's Gluten-Free Fusilli to be the best fit for this recipe. Its sturdy spiral shape holds up well against the heavy cheese sauce and remains consistent even after reheating. Unlike many gluten-free pastas that fall apart as leftovers, DeLallo's pasta retains its texture over time, making it perfect for multiple servings. Plus, it has an authentic Italian taste that really enhances the dish!
Adding the Pasta & Secret Ingredient
DeLallo gluten-free pasta cooks to perfect al dente, so follow the bag instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and fold it into the cheese sauce without worry of breakage. Add room temperature or lukewarm caramelized onions in increments to ensure even distribution. Finally, include dijon mustard for a tangy kick that balances the cheese and enhances the flavors.
Easy Recipe for Homemade Breadcrumbs
Once the pasta and cheese sauce are combined, you can transfer the pasta to oven safe ramekins, a large baking dish or even a cast iron skillet. Just make sure the Mac and Cheese is spread evenly in whatever vessel you choose to use. Then, the final step to this recipe is making homemade breadcrumbs. While you can use store-bought breadcrumbs, I find that gluten-free breadcrumbs never quite have the right texture. This easy recipe will ensure the perfect consistency and come together in minutes!
My favorite gluten-free bread is from Schar, especially their deli style bread. But you can use whatever gluten-free bread you like. Take three pieces of bread and add to a food processor. Then, add a three teaspoons of dried thyme and two teaspoons of garlic powder. Pulse until you have fine crumbs. Then, take the breadcrumbs and spread over the top of the Mac and Cheese.
Finally, place the French Onion Mac and Cheese with breadcrumbs in the oven on the middle rack. Bake for 15 minutes on 350 degrees. Finally, to give the breadcrumbs a nice crisp, broil for three minutes on high. Be sure to watch the oven closely as the breadcrumbs can quickly burn. Once perfectly golden, remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Last but not least, garnish the the dish with freshly chopped parsley!
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. […]