Macaroni and Cheese is probably the number one comfort food, this is just a another take on it combining the flavors of a French Onion soup with the French's French Fried Onions and the Panko bread crumbs like the crouton on the soup. Bon Apetit!
Ingredients:
3 tbsp FRENCH'S® Dijon Mustard
1.5 cup FRENCH'S® French Fried Onions
1 lb pasta (Penne or any short cut pasta)
2/3 cup butter/canola oil spreadable butter (1/3 for cheese sauce and 1/3 for topping)
1/2 cup all purpose flour
4 cup half and half
16 oz shredded cheese, cheddar/mozzarella blend
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 tsp salt
Directions:
1 lb. pasta (Penne or any short cut pasta)
2/3 cup butter/canola oil spreadable butter (1/3 for cheese sauce and 1/3 for topping)
1/2 cup all purpose flour
3 tTbsp. French’s Dijon mustard
4 cups half and half
1 cup reserved pasta water
1/2 teaspoon salt
16 oz. shredded cheese, cheddar/mozzarella blend
1.5 cups French’s French Fried Onion
1 cup panko bread crumbs
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F and butter a 9 by 13-inch glass baking dish.
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt per package directions. Cook pasta according to package directions, minus 2-3 minutes. Save 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Place pasta in prepared baking dish; set aside.
2. Put 1/3 cup butter/canola oil spreadable butter into a large pot over medium heat, when melted, whisk in the flour, and stir constantly for about 3-5 minutes; add in the French’s Dijon Mustard and salt. Then add in the half and half. Let come to a simmer until it thickens up slightly; add in the pasta water and simmer 2-3 more minutes. Add in the cheese, a little at a time until all the cheese is mostly melted.
3. Add a 1/2 cup of the French’s French Fried Onions into pasta and mix well and then fold in 3/4 of the cheese sauce to coat. Then pour remaining 1/4 of cheese sauce over pasta.
4. Melt remaining 1/3 cup butter/canola oil blend in a 10” sauté pan and then add bread crumbs and remaining 1 cup of the French’s French Fried Onions (crumbled) to combine; sprinkle mixture on top of the pasta. Bake for about 15 minutes or until bubbling and golden brown. Remove from oven when done and rest for 5 minutes. Serve.
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