2. Can this mac and cheese be prepared ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the dish up to the baking stage, refrigerate, and bake just before serving.

3. Which cheese works best for mac and cheese?

A combination of cheddar and mozzarella offers the best balance of flavour and meltability. Sharp cheddar adds depth, while mozzarella creates a creamy texture.

4. Can other pasta shapes be used?

Absolutely. Elbow macaroni, fusilli, penne, or shells all work well in baked mac and cheese recipes.

5. What do breadcrumbs add to the dish?

Breadcrumbs create a lightly crisp topping that contrasts beautifully with the creamy pasta underneath.

Home

Recipes

Caramelised Onion Mac and Cheese

Medium

0 Like

Save

0 Like

Save

Written by

Kritika Rohilla

Content Lead

Caramelised Onion Mac and Cheese
: The Ultimate Baked Comfort Food

Name: ~Caramelised Onion Mac and Cheese~: The Ultimate Baked Comfort Food
Total time: 1 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 12 Onions, thinly sliced; 6–8 Cloves garlic, finely chopped; 2 cups Milk; ½ cup grated Mozzarella cheese; 1½ cups grated Cheddar cheese; ½ cup grated Cheddar cheese (for topping); 2 tbsp Maida; 1–2 tbsp Breadcrumbs; 3 cups Dry macaroni; 3 tbsp Olive oil (for onions); 2 tbsp Olive oil; 2 tbsp Butter; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; to taste Salt; to taste Freshly crushed black pepper; to taste Chilli flakes; to taste Dried oregano

1 mins

Cooking Time

Medium

Difficulty

Ingredients

Veg

Diet

Caramelised Onion Mac and Cheese takes a familiar comfort food and gives it extra depth through one simple ingredient: slowly cooked onions. As the onions turn deeply golden and sweet, they develop a rich flavour that balances the sharpness of cheddar and the creaminess of mozzarella. Layered between silky cheese-coated macaroni and finished with a bubbling cheese topping, this baked pasta delivers plenty of texture and flavour in every bite. Whether served as a weekend dinner, a sharing dish for gatherings, or simply when comfort food cravings strike, this version feels a little more grown-up while remaining every bit as satisfying as the classic.

Ingredients

UNITSIngredients

12Onions, thinly sliced

6–8Cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 cupsMilk

½ cup gratedMozzarella cheese

1½ cups gratedCheddar cheese

½ cup gratedCheddar cheese (for topping)

2 tbspMaida

1–2 tbspBreadcrumbs

3 cupsDry macaroni

3 tbspOlive oil (for onions)

2 tbspOlive oil

2 tbspButter

1 tbspDijon mustard

to tasteSalt

to tasteFreshly crushed black pepper

to tasteChilli flakes

to tasteDried oregano

Follow
Directions

Description - Step 1

Caramelise the Onions

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a kadhai. Add the sliced onions and a generous pinch of salt. Cook on a low-medium flame, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden and caramelised.

1 minutes

Step 1

Baked caramelised onion mac and cheese topped with melted cheddar and breadcrumbs

Caramelise the Onions

00:05

Step 2

Prepare the Roux

00:03

Step 3

Make the Cheese Sauce

00:09

Step 4

Season & Add the Pasta

00:06

Plate it up!

Plating Instructions

Serve directly from the baking dish while the cheese is still bubbling and stretchy.

Pairing Instructions

Pair with a crisp green salad or garlic bread to balance the richness.

Garnishing Instructions

Finish with freshly cracked black pepper, chilli flakes, and a sprinkle of oregano before serving.

FAQs

Slow cooking allows the onions' natural sugars to develop, creating a deep sweetness that adds complexity and balances the richness of the cheese sauce.