French Onion Mac & Cheese

French onion mac and cheese features ditalini in a cheesy creamy caramelized onion sauce, topped with crispy prosciutto and fresh herbs. This is the perfect dish to curl up with and watch a good show this fall and winter season!

Info and tips for french onion mac & cheese

• Take your time caramelizing the onions. They will take around 45 minutes to become fully caramelized. If you find they are burning, lower your heat and add splashes of water as needed.
• For this recipe we cook the pasta in the broth so make sure you stir often, as sometimes the pasta will try to stick to the bottom. The pasta absorbs the rboth as it cooks, making it much more flavourful.
• Grate your own cheese! This makes such a difference in sauce consistency. Pre-grated cheese genuinely sucks.
• The lemon at the end helps add a bright bit of acid, which cuts through the richness of the dish.

Equipment

I like to use my Zwilling Pan for one pot recipes.

Ingredients for french onion mac & cheese

• drizzle of olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, sliced into half moons
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp italian seasoning
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• 1.5 cups ditalini pasta
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella, shredded
• salt and pepper to taste
• ½ a lemon juiced
• 4 pieces prosciutto
• chives or parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Begin by thinly slicing your onion into half moons. Add to a pan over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Continue cooking for about 45 minutes over low heat, adding splashes of water as necessary if onions are burning.
2. Next add the butter, minced garlic, italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and the pasta. Cook for a few minutes until garlic is fragrant and ditalini is toasted.
3. Pour in the beef broth and simmer for 10 minutes until pasta is al dente. 
4. Meanwhile add the prosciutto to a sheet pan and bake in the oven at 400 F for 8-10 minutes until crispy.
5. Add the heavy cream and shredded cheeses to the pot. Mix well and simmer on low for another 1-2 minutes until creamy and thick.
6. Add the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Taste test and adjust as needed.
7. Serve with the crispy prosciutto over top and fresh parsley. Enjoy!

See below for a video tutorial!

If you liked this one be sure to check out these:

• Mac and Cheese Cups
• One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta
• Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Print Recipe

French Onion Mac & Cheese

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Pastas

By Kenna's Cooks – Serves: 2

Prep Time: 15 minutes – Cooking Time: 15 minutes – Total Time: 30 minutes

French onion mac and cheese features ditalini in a cheesy creamy caramelized onion sauce, topped with crispy prosciutto and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

• drizzle of olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, sliced into half moons
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp italian seasoning
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• 1.5 cups ditalini pasta
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella, shredded
• salt and pepper to taste
• ½ a lemon juiced
• 4 pieces prosciutto
• chives or parsley for garnish

Instructions

1

Begin by thinly slicing your onion into half moons. Add to a pan over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Continue cooking for about 45 minutes over low heat, adding splashes of water as necessary if onions are burning.

2

Next add the butter, minced garlic, italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and the pasta. Cook for a few minutes until garlic is fragrant and ditalini is toasted.

3

Pour in the beef broth and simmer for 10 minutes until pasta is al dente. 

4

Meanwhile add the prosciutto to a sheet pan and bake in the oven at 400 F for 8-10 minutes until crispy.

5

Add the heavy cream and shredded cheeses to the pot. Mix well and simmer on low for another 1-2 minutes until creamy and thick.

6

Add the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Taste test and adjust as needed.

7

Serve with the crispy prosciutto over top and fresh parsley. Enjoy!