Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms

Recipe Source: Stay Snatched

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mushrooms sliced
• 1 onion sliced into small slivers
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

1. Add the olive oil and onions to a saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onions become fragrant and soft. Lower the heat to medium-low.
3. Add the balsamic vinegar and mushrooms.
4. Cook for an additional 20 minutes, stirring every 3-4 minutes to ensure the onions don't burn. While the onions and mushrooms brown, begin prepping the mac and cheese.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound elbow macaroni or macaroni shells
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 1/2 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• 1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
• 1/2 cup gouda cheese cut into small chunks
• 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
• salt, pepper, and onion powder to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Boil a large pot of salted water over high heat. Add the macaroni and cook for about 5 minutes.
3. Drain the macaroni and rinse with cold water. Reserve some of the water from the pasta in case you need it later.
4. Heat a sauce pan on medium heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt.
5. Once melted, add the flour and whisk. Continue to whisk until the four is fully combined.
6. Add the milk and heavy whipping cream and stir.
7. Add half of the cheese and stir until the cheese is melted.
8. Add the seasonings and taste repeatedly. This step is important because you don't want bland mac and cheese.
9. Return the pasta to the large pot. Drizzle the liquid mixture over the pasta and stir until fully combined.
10. Ensure there is adequate liquid throughout these steps (additional milk or reserved pasta water work well). This step is important because without adequate liquid the dish will dry out while baking.
11. Spray a baking pan with cooking spray.
12. Begin to layer in the pasta. Start with the pasta, then add a layer of all of the shredded cheese and gouda chunks. Add the onions and mushrooms.
13. Add another layer of pasta, and then another layer of cheese.
14. Sprinkle the panko bread crumbs throughout the top.
15. Bake for 20 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
16. Cool before serving.