One-Pan French Onion Mac & Cheese
Deeply caramelised onions folded into a creamy one-pan mac and cheese bake, finished with a golden Gruyère crust.
In a nutshell: This authentic american one-pan french onion mac & cheese comes together in just 55 mins using simple whole ingredients. The chef's secret: 20 minutes of patient stirring is where the whole dish gets its sweetness, and pale. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.
One-pan French onion mac and cheese: caramelised onions folded into a creamy one-pan mac and cheese bake. Cozy fall comfort.
Key Equipment
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- Large oven-safe skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Box grater
- Aluminium foil
Chef's Pro-Tips
- Do not rush the onions: 20 minutes of patient stirring is where the whole dish gets its sweetness, and pale onions make a pale-tasting mac.
- Keep the simmer gentle: a hard boil makes the milk sauce grainy, while a lazy bubble keeps it silky.
- Grate your own Gruyère: pre-shredded cheese is coated in anti-caking starch and melts into a duller, thicker sauce.
Ingredients
6
servings
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3 yellow onions, thinly sliced
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3 tbsp butter
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 tsp sugar, optional, speeds caramelisation
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1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
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1 lb elbow macaroni
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3 cups beef broth, low sodium
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1 cup whole milk
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1 cup heavy cream
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2 cups Gruyère cheese, shredded
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1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
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1 tsp Dijon mustard
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1 tsp fresh thyme, leaves
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1 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
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½ tsp black pepper
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Caramelise the Onions
Melt the butter with the oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Cook the onions with a pinch of salt and the sugar, stirring often, for 20-25 minutes until deeply golden and jammy. Stir in the balsamic and cook 1 minute more.
Add Pasta and Liquids
Stir in the macaroni, broth, milk, cream, Dijon, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up the browned bits — that is pure French onion flavour.
Simmer Until Tender
Cover and simmer on low for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is just tender and the sauce has thickened. It will look loose; it sets as it rests.
Top with Cheese and Bake
Preheat the broiler. Shower the Gruyère and cheddar over the top and broil for 3-5 minutes until bubbling and golden in spots. Watch closely — broilers go from golden to burnt fast.
Rest and Serve
Rest for 5 minutes so the sauce thickens, then serve with extra thyme scattered over the top.
Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks
Kitchen EssentialsAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack
Warp-resistant aluminum for even browning, from sheet-pan dinners to cookies.
View on AmazonVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife
Razor-sharp Fibrox Pro blade that home chefs and pros both reach for.
View on AmazonTILUCK Stainless Measuring Cups & Spoons, 10-Pc
Stainless steel cups and spoons that measure precisely and last.
View on AmazonMercer Culinary Locking Tongs, 9" + 12"
Locking tongs in two handy sizes for the stovetop and the grill.
View on AmazonAmazon Basics Non-Stick Parchment Paper Roll
Non-stick paper for lining pans – easy release, easy cleanup.
View on AmazonWoodenhouse Teak Wooden Spoons, 10-Pc
Teak spoons gentle on cookware and built for daily stirring.
View on AmazonOXO Good Grips Silicone Whisk Set, 9" + 11"
Silicone whisks safe for nonstick pans, in two sizes.
View on AmazonUltra Cuisine Stainless Cooling Rack Set of 2
Stainless racks that fit half sheets – for cooling bakes and crisping roasts.
View on AmazonUmite Chef Stainless Mixing Bowls with Lids, 8-Pc
Nesting stainless bowls with airtight lids, from prep to storage.
View on AmazonHamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer
Six speeds with a snap-on storage case for the beaters.
View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Yes — Swiss, Comté or even all-cheddar work. Gruyère gives the classic French onion flavour, but any good melting cheese is fine.
Yes — the pasta dish is a stovetop toss with a lighter sauce, while this is a baked, broiled mac and cheese built in one skillet.
Assemble through step 3, cool, and refrigerate up to a day. Reheat covered, then add the cheese and broil just before serving.
It is easiest, but you can also transfer the pasta to a baking dish before adding the cheese and broiling.