Prep Time::20 mins
Cook Time:: 1 hr 45 mins
Total Time:: 2 hrs 5 mins
Servings::12
Ingredients
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4 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into ¼-inch thick pieces
4 small yellow onions, cut into half moons
kosher salt, to taste
16 oz macaroni, or pasta of choice
6 tablespoons butter, divided, plus more for the pan
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
5 cups whole milk, warmed
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Frank’s® RedHot Original Hot Sauce)
1 pinch ground nutmeg
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 1/2 cups freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
6 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated
1 bunch scallions, green tops only, thinly sliced
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
flaky salt, to finish
Directions
Step 1Gather the ingredients.
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Step 2Place bacon in a large deep Dutch oven skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside.
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Step 3Add onions and a generous pinch of kosher salt to the rendered fat. Allow to cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until onions are deeply caramelized, about 40 minutes. As onions cook, you may need to add water ¼ cup at a time, to keep the onions from burning. After 40 minutes, the onions should be deeply browned and jammy in consistency. Once the onions have reached the desired color and consistency, remove from heat and set aside.
Allrecipes / Sara Haas
Step 4Meanwhile, about 20 minutes after the start of cooking time for the onions, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 5 minutes. Drain and return pasta to the pot.
Step 5Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
Step 6Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a deep skillet over low heat. Add flour and cook until flour turns golden brown and smells nutty, about 2 minutes. Slowly add milk, a little at a time, while whisking constantly. Once all the milk has been incorporated, increase heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until sauce has thickened and can coat the back of a spoon, 10 to 12 minutes.
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Step 7Remove sauce from heat and stir in mustard, hot sauce, nutmeg, a pinch of salt, Cheddar cheese, and gruyere cheese. Whisk until cheese is fully melted.
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Step 8Add cheese sauce, reserved bacon, caramelized onions, and scallions to pasta. Fold in with a rubber spatula until everything is well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer pasta to the prepared baking dish.
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Step 9Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add Panko breadcrumbs and cook until toasted and golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Top mac and cheese with toasted breadcrumbs.
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Step 10Bake in the preheated oven until cheese has melted and top is lightly browned, about 30 minutes.
Step 11Turn on the broiler and broil on high until the top is bubbly and brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
Step 12Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Finish with a pinch of flaky salt and black pepper and serve warm.
Allrecipes / Sara Haas