This Mac and Cheese with French Fried Onions is fantastic! Creamy, cheesy, rich, and crunchy, this classic homemade mac and cheese with a twist is going to be a family favorite!

Mac and Cheese with Fried Onions

For a fun twist on your classic macaroni and cheese recipe, you have to try my Mac and Cheese with French Fried Onions! The rich creaminess of the macaroni and cheese with the salty crunchiness of the fried onions is a match made in heaven.

This is the kind of recipe that is easy to make on the fly. It is a good idea to keep all of the simple ingredients on-hand so that you can whip it up at a moment’s notice. It doesn’t take a long time and it is the perfect main dish or side dish to add to your list of delicious recipes.

It can be fun to try different versions of macaroni and cheese. This Mac and Cheese with Fried Onions is similar to those with potato chips on top, but with a little kick from the onion topping. 

A vegetarian recipe that will likely become one of your favorite foods, it is something you can have on the dinner table in less than half an hour. 

I typically split this up into separate bowls before serving, but you can serve the entire dish in one large bowl or a casserole dish with a side of crispy fried onions that everyone can serve themselves.

The first time you serve it not everyone may be game for onions, but if they enjoy the crusty topping of a baked macaroni and cheese casserole, these crunchy mac and cheese toppings will win them over!

Recipe Notes:

• To make this a gluten-free dish, swap out gluten-free pasta and use gluten-free french fried onions. 
• If you like garlic, add some chopped roasted garlic cloves or minced garlic to the different cheeses while you are forming the sauce. 
• You can add other items to the dish to change it up if it becomes a staple, so consider a little bacon or small broccoli florets in the future.
• Serve hot sauce on the table as a simple way to add some kick to the mac n cheese. 

French Fried Onions Recipe

How To Make:

Ingredients:
16 oz rotini pasta
2 Tbsp olive oil
8 oz cream cheese brick
12 oz evaporated milk
2 cups milk
2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 
2 cups french fried onions (like French’s Crispy Fried Onions)

Directions:

Bring a large pot of water and the olive oil to a boil. Add the dry rotini noodles and cook according to the package directions, which is usually on a rolling boil for 10-12 minutes until al dente. Remove from the heat and drain.

At the same time, in a large saucepan or dutch oven, add your cream cheese, evaporated milk, milk, and shredded cheese.

Cook on medium-low heat, allowing the ingredients to melt and thicken. Be sure to stir every few minutes so that nothing burns. 

Once the creamy sauce has melted and thickened, add in the cooked macaroni noodles and allow the mixture to heat through.

Distribute the mac and cheese into separate bowls or a large serving dish and add the french fried onions to the top of the macaroni.

Make sure that you’ve added a good portion of the crunchy toppings to each bowl! The crispy onions are meant to complement this creamy dish, so this is an important step.

Serve immediately with a little bit of black pepper (if desired) and enjoy! 

Does This Mac And Cheese with Onions Work Well As Leftovers?

Yes! This is one of those great recipes that will work both today and the next day just as well. Package your leftovers in separate airtight containers to keep in the fridge and have for lunch or a snack.

If you’re taking it to work, put some french fried onions in a small plastic bag to take with or mix them in beforehand so that you have a french onion macaroni and cheese all ready for you. It will be fine at room temperature for a few hours. 

Can I Use A Different Kind Of Cheese In This Easy Recipe?

Yes! I typically use mild or sharp cheddar cheese because cheddar is a good melting cheese, but there are some other great options to pair with your cream cheese. 

Depending on the personal taste of your family, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a blend of cheeses will work well. You can choose your favorite cheese for the cheesy sauce, but it’s important that you choose a good melting cheese or everything won’t combine properly. 

If you want to use parmesan cheese, I highly recommend saving that as extra cheese for the top of the cooked pasta. Even as pre-shredded cheese, it won’t melt the way you need it to. 

Can I Use Different Pasta Shapes Than Rotini?

Yes! I really enjoy this rotini mac and cheese because it holds the creamy cheese sauce well, but you can absolutely use something else. Elbow macaroni is always a favorite of picky eaters, so keep that option in your back pocket if you need to make a swap. 

Are You Looking For Some Great Side Dish Recipes? Here Are Some Of My Favorites:

• Tomato, Bacon, and Cabbage Sauté
• Candied Carrots
• Easy Grilled Green Beans
• Mushroom and Corn Sauté
• Sweet and Spicy Grilled Corn on the Cob

Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Classic Red Enamel Dutch Oven (Island Spice Red)Lodge 5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Pre-Seasoned Pot with Lid and Dual Loop HandleDOWAN 27 Ounces Porcelain Square Cereal Bowls – Set of 6, White Make sure tHÖLM 3-Piece Stainless Steel Mesh Micro-Perforated Strainer Colander Set (1-Quart, 2.5-Quart and 4.5-Quart)Set of 3 Large Collapsible Kitchen Colander/Strainer Set – 4 Quart, 2.5 Quart and 2 Quart- Perfect for Draining Pasta, Vegetable – HOMWE (Blue & Grey）)Miusco 5 Piece Silicone Cooking Utensil Set with Natural Acacia Hard Wood Handle

Yield: 5 Servings

Mac And Cheese With French Fried Onions

Print

This Mac and Cheese with French Fried Onions is fantastic! Creamy, cheesy, rich, and crunchy, this classic homemade mac and cheese with a twist is going to be a family favorite!

Cook Time 25 minutes

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 16 oz rotini noodles
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 8 oz cream cheese brick
• 12 oz evaporated milk
• 2 cups milk
• 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups french fried onions (such as French's)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water and the olive oil to a boil. Add the dry rotini noodles and cook on a rolling boil for 10-12 minutes. Remove from the heat and drain.
2. At the same time, in a large saucepan or dutch oven, add your cream cheese, evaporated milk, milk and shredded cheese. Cook on medium-low heat, allowing the ingredients to melt and thicken. Be sure to stir every few minutes so that nothing burns.
3. Once the sauce has melted and thickened, add in the cooked rotini noodles and allow the mixture to heat through.
4. Distribute the mac and cheese into separate bowls or a large serving dish and add the french fried onions to the top. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Classic Red Enamel Dutch Oven (Island Spice Red)
• 
  DOWAN 27 Ounces Porcelain Square Cereal Bowls - Set of 6, White
• 
  HÖLM 3-Piece Stainless Steel Mesh Micro-Perforated Strainer Colander Set (1-Quart, 2.5-Quart and 4.5-Quart)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

5

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 873Total Fat: 56gSaturated Fat: 27gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 132mgSodium: 923mgCarbohydrates: 61gFiber: 3gSugar: 12gProtein: 32g