French Onion Mac n' Cheese

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• 2 yellow onions, peeled and sliced
• 1 pound uncooked elbow macaroni
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 whole milk
• 6 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground pepper

Instructions

1. 1
   In a medium saucepan, add a tablespoon of olive oil. When warm, add the onion slices and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring regularly, until softened and caramelized. Remove and set aside.
2. 2
   Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Pour in the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 5 to 6 minutes, or as directed per the instructions on the package of pasta.
3. 3
   To a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat, add the butter and flour. Cook the roux, until the butter melts and a paste forms. Whisk in the 2 1/2 cups of milk and bring the sauce to a very slight boil, whisking the entire time, and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes. Turn the heat off and allow the milk mixture to cool for about 3 minutes. Stir in the cheese. If it’s a bit too thick, you can add a 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup milk. Give it a taste and add salt to taste; I added about 2 teaspoons of salt.
4. 4
   To the pot, add the macaroni and toss with the cheesy sauce. Give it another taste and adjust the salt to taste (I added a bit more). Lastly, add the caramelized onion and stir. Serve immediately and garnish with black pepper.