French Onion Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Ingredients

For the Crispy Topping:
1 tablespoon EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
For the Onions:
1 tablespoon EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil

3 tablespoons butter
4 large onions, thinly sliced
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine or 1/3 cup dry sherry
1 10-ounce can beef consommé
For the Cheese Sauce:
3 tablespoons butter
2 rounded tablespoons flour
2 cups whole milk
Salt and pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
1 pound short cut pasta of choice, such as penne rigate or cavatappi

Yields: Serves 6-8

Preparation

For the topping, heat EVOO and butter in a small pan over medium heat. Add garlic and stir 2-3 minutes then add panko and stir to combine and lightly toast, 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and add in herbs and cheese.

For the onions, heat EVOO and butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and bay, salt and pepper, and caramelize, 25-30 minutes. Deglaze with sherry or wine and add consommé. Keep warm over low heat.

Bring a pot of water to a boil for the pasta and preheat oven to 400°F.

For the cheese sauce, melt butter in medium saucepot over medium to medium-high heat. Whisk in flour, cook for 1 minute then add milk. Season sauce with salt, pepper and nutmeg and thicken to coat spoon. Add Gruyère, stirring in figure-eight motion, and melt into sauce. Reduce heat to low.

Undercook pasta by a minute or so then drain and return to pot. Combine with onions and cheese sauce then transfer to a casserole dish. Top with breadcrumb mixture and bake until golden, 20-25 minutes. Serve with spinach salad or shaved raw asparagus salad alongside.