Caramelized Onion & Sharp Cheddar Macaroni Bake

Recipe Collection: Dinner

Caramelized Onion & Sharp Cheddar Macaroni Bake elevates your comfort food game with sweet, caramelized onions paired with sharp cheddar cheese, creating a rich and satisfying flavor profile. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this American classic is gluten and dairy-friendly with simple substitutions. This versatile recipe is ideal for cozy nights in or as a crowd-pleaser at potlucks. You can easily select this recipe from the easyChef Pro App, where you’ll find personalized recommendations, AI-powered pantry tracking, and a smart shopping list to streamline your meal prep. Get started today and transform your cooking experience with easyChef Pro!

Overview

This is a fancy twist on the classic macaroni and cheese, featuring sweet caramelized onions and sharp cheddar cheese. Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth to make it vegetarian. Enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness with a crispy breadcrumb topping!

Diet Type

Vegetarian (with substitution)

Allergies

Dairy, Gluten

Cuisine

American

Serving Size: 6

Cooking Time: 105 minutes

Ingredients

• 6 Tablespoons (tbsp) butter, divided
• 1 Large Vidalia onion, sliced
• 0.5 Teaspoons (tsp) sugar
• 1 Pinch salt, to taste
• 8 Ounces (oz) macaroni
• 1 Cup bread crumbs, plain
• 0.5 Teaspoon (tsp) dried mustard
• 1 Clove garlic, minced
• 1 Pinch cayenne pepper, to taste
• 3 Tablespoons (tbsp) all-purpose flour
• 1.75 Cups milk
• 0.75 Cup chicken broth
• 8 Ounces (oz) sharp white Cheddar cheese, grated
• 0.5 Cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 Pinch salt, to taste
• 1 Pinch black pepper, to taste

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, sugar, and the initial pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until onions are caramel colored, 15 to 20 minutes. If mixture is too dry, add an additional tablespoon of butter. Set aside.
3. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, cover, and set aside.
4. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Stir in the bread crumbs and toast lightly for a few minutes, stirring constantly.
5. Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Dissolve the dry mustard in an equal amount of water and add to the pot along with the garlic and cayenne pepper. Stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Sprinkle in the flour and cook until golden, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk and broth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until the mixture is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
6. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until melted. Stir in the onions and season with the final pinches of salt and black pepper. Add the drained macaroni and stir until blended. Pour into the prepared baking dish and top with bread crumbs.
7. Bake until golden brown and bubbling around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy your homemade Caramelized Onion & Sharp Cheddar Macaroni Bake!