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French Onion Pasta
French onion pasta, also known as TikTok viral French onion Mac and Cheese, is an easy and delicious dish that combines the classic flavors of French Onions and creamy cheesy pasta. This creamy and savory meal is sure to be a hit with everyone in your family.
The secret ingredient in this TikTok Mac and cheese recipe is the caramelized onions that add a sweet and rich flavor to the dish. The onions are cooked with butter, sugar, and thyme until they turn a golden-brown color. This is an easy dish that can be made for a weeknight dinner or as part of a festive meal. I love how the sweet flavor of the onions really brings out the flavor of other ingredients in the recipe. Give it a try; you won’t regret it!
What you’ll love about this recipe:
Be sure to check out the full printable recipe below
Ingredients for French Onion Mac and Cheese
- 6 Tablespoons Butter, Divided
- 3 Large Yellow Onions, Thinly Sliced
- 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Fresh Thyme Leaves
- 1 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 8 Ounces Cavatappi Pasta
- 3 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
- 1 Cup Chicken Stock
- 1 Beef Bouillon Cube
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 2 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1 ½ Cups Shredded Swiss Cheese
- 1 ½ Cups Shredded White Cheddar Cheese
- 1 ½ Cups Shredded Gruyere Cheese
- Fresh Thyme For Garnish
French Onion Pasta Recipe
- In a Dutch oven, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, salt, thyme, and pepper flakes.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until they are caramelized and golden brown, about 25-30 minutes. Remove the onions from the pot and set aside.
- While the onions are caramelizing, cook the cavatappi pasta according to package instructions until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In the Dutch oven used to caramelize the onions, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in the chicken stock, making sure there are no lumps. Add the beef bouillon cube and Dijon mustard, stirring to dissolve the bouillon cube.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Remove the Dutch oven from the heat and stir in the Swiss and cheddar cheese until they are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked cavatappi pasta and caramelized onions to the cheese sauce, stirring gently to combine.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, sprinkle on the 1 ½ cups gruyere cheese, and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the mac and cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Let stand for 5 minutes, garnish with fresh thyme, and serve. Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks for French Onion Mac and Cheese
- Caramelize the onions slowly: Take your time when caramelizing the onions to achieve a deep, rich flavor. Cook them over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and golden brown. This process may take around 30-40 minutes but is well worth the wait.
- Use a combination of cheeses: To add depth of flavor and creaminess to your mac and cheese, use a blend of cheeses such as Gruyère, Swiss, and cheddar. You can also try adding a small amount of Parmesan for an extra kick.
- Choose the right pasta shape: Opt for pasta shapes with ridges or hollows, like elbow macaroni, shells, or cavatappi, which will help hold the cheese sauce and caramelized onions better.
- Cook pasta al dente: Slightly undercook the pasta for 1-2 minutes before combining it with the sauce, as it will continue to cook in the oven. This will prevent the pasta from becoming too soft and mushy.
- Season to taste: Don’t forget to taste your cheese sauce and caramelized onions as you cook, adjusting the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Use a broiler for a crispy top: After baking the mac and cheese, place it under the broiler for a few minutes to achieve a golden, bubbly top. Keep a close eye on it to avoid burning.
FAQs about French Onion Pasta
More French Onion Recipes:
French Onion Pasta
Yield:
6
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time:
1 hour 30 minutes
French onion pasta, also known as TikTok viral French onion Mac and Cheese, is an easy and delicious dish that combines the classic flavors of French Onions and creamy cheesy pasta. This creamy and savory meal is sure to be a hit with everyone in your family.
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons Butter, Divided
- 3 Large Yellow Onions, Thinly Sliced
- 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Fresh Thyme Leaves
- 1 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 8 Ounces Cavatappi Pasta
- 3 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
- 1 Cup Chicken Stock
- 1 Beef Bouillon Cube
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 2 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1 ½ Cups Shredded Swiss Cheese
- 1 ½ Cups Shredded White Cheddar Cheese
- 1 ½ Cups Shredded Gruyere Cheese
- Fresh Thyme For Garnish
Instructions
- In a dutch oven, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, salt, thyme and pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they are caramelized and golden brown, about 25-30 minutes. Remove the onions from the pot and set aside.
- While the onions are caramelizing, cook the cavatappi pasta according to package instructions until al dente, drain and set aside.
- Preheat your oven 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In the dutch oven used to caramelize the onions, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in the chicken stock, making sure there are no lumps. Add the beef bouillon cube and dijon mustard, stirring to dissolve the bouillon cube.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Remove the dutch oven from the heat and stir in the swiss and cheddar cheese until they are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked cavatappi pasta and caramelized onions to the cheese sauce, stirring gently to combine.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to the prepared 9x13-inch baking dish, sprinkle on the 1 ½ cups gruyere cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the mac and cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Let stand for 5 minutes, garnish with fresh thyme and serve. Enjoy!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 835Total Fat: 68gSaturated Fat: 42gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 208mgSodium: 1026mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 7gProtein: 30g
