Balsamic Caramelized Onion Mushroom Mac 'n' Cheese (2024)

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Tender mushrooms and balsamic caramelized onions take this luxurious mushroom mac ‘n’ cheese to another level! – the best way to fancy up mac ‘n’ cheese night.

You’re about to meet the most hard-core comfort food EVER today!

We love a good fancified mac around here and this caramelized onion + mushroom stuffed version just ticks all the boxes.

And handily enough, it’s easy enough that you can pull it off on any regular ol’ weeknight! Music to everyone’s ears.

So it turned fall here like overnight, guys. Not even kidding the amount of soups, casseroles, and basically anything HOT that we’re making around here these days.

Mac ‘n’ cheese is totally a year-round kinda comfort food deal but even more so right now.

Let’s pump up the flavors in a childhood classic today with incredible ingredients like caramelized onions, mushrooms, and balsamic!

This Caramelized Onion Mushroom Mac ‘n’ Cheese features…

• Deeply flavorful caramelized onions
• Balsamic sauteed mushrooms
• A rich cheese sauce made from rich cheddar and Parmesan
• Classic elbow pasta, but feel free to use whatever pasta shape you like!

Making the Caramelized Onion Mushroom Mac ‘n’ Cheese

(scroll down to the bottom of post for the full recipe)

Ingredients You Will Need

• Sweet onion
• Mushrooms
• Olive oil
• Unsalted butter
• Garlic
• Balsamic vinegar
• All-purpose flour
• Milk
• Half and half cream
• Parsley
• Cheddar cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Pasta

How to Caramelize Onions

You will need 1 medium sweet Vidalia onion to make caramelized onions. Slice the onion into thin strips and it’s ready for cooking!

The trick with caramelizing is a low ‘n’ slow process and you’re going to want to cook the onion in a little butter + olive oil over medium heat about 20 minutes. Stir the onions occasionally until they are a deep caramelized brown.

That’s it! Caramelized onions are such a flavor boost to many dishes and a great thing to make ahead of time to store in the fridge for reheating later.

Tips for Perfect Mac ‘n’ Cheese

1. Make a roux – this is equal parts butter and flour and it is the base to your sauce.Cook the roux over medium heat, whisking constantly until a light golden brown.
2. Slowly drizzle in milk + cream –use a whisk to evenly incorporate the liquids into the roux and avoid lumps.
3. Cook sauce over medium heat –once all the liquids have been added, cook the sauce over medium heat and stir often to avoid burning. The sauce is done when it’s bubbly and can coat the back of a spoon.
4. Fold cheeses in offheat –this will help prevent the cheese from burning. Once the sauce is thickened, remove from heat and whisk in cheeses until melted.
5. Bake mac ‘n’ cheese –an extra step but so worth it! This is how you get those lovely crispy, browned edges everyone loves.

Recipe Variations

This macaroni is so easy to change up based on your preferences! Try these ideas out…

• Change up the cheese – try a combo of shredded gruyere + asiago or monetary jack + sharp cheddar.
• Try another veggie – if you’re not a fan of mushrooms, try sauteed zucchini, sweet pepper, or peas.
• Add meat – cooked chicken, sausage, or bacon would be a great meaty addition.

This mac is just one for the record books, y’all. The caramelized onions, balsamic, and mushrooms add the most incredible savory flavors to the rich macaroni base. It just can’t be beat.

Meet your new comfort food addiction. It’s this winner right here!

Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it onInstagramwith #wholeandheavenlyoven.

Watch this mac ‘n’ cheese made step-by-step on Google web stories!

Try these other mac ‘n’ cheese favorites next time!

• Roasted Red Pepper Sausage Skillet Mac ‘n’ Cheese
• Baked Pumpkin Roasted Red Pepper Mac ‘n’ Cheese
• Chipotle Bacon Butternut Squash Mac ‘n’ Cheese

This post was updated with new photos and recipe notes on 7/13/22.