White Cheddar Chipotle Mac and Cheese w/ Caramelized Onions

I’m always searching for delightful mac & cheese recipes with a twist.  I love taking a common recipe and taking it to the next level with interesting ingredients.  I stumbled across this little tidbit of a recipe on Pinterest and I pretty much ran to the grocery store immediately to gather ingredients and within the hour I was stirring a delicious cheese sauce.

This recipe is full of spicy chipotle flavor and sweet caramelized onions.  The onions are my absolute favorite part of the recipe, giving a slight crunch to an otherwise creamy and decadent dish.  Give this recipe a try and I promise you won’t be disappointed!

White Cheddar Chipotle Mac and Cheese with Caramelized Onions

from Sunflower Supper Club

For the Onions:

2 tbsp butter

1 tbsp olive oil

1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced

2 tbsp sugar

The rest of the ingredients:

8 oz penne pasta

1/4 c. butter

1/2 tsp minced garlic

1/2 chipotle pepper, diced fine

1 tsp chipotle sauce from the can of chiles

1/4 c. flour

2 c. milk

2 c. white cheddar cheese (8 oz), shredded

For the onions:

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the olive oil.  Add onions and saute for a few minutes until they begin to soften.  Add the 2 tbsp sugar and turn the heat down a little.  Continue cooking for about 20 minutes until they are golden brown.  Drain any excess oil and set aside to cool.  

Cook pasta in salted water until al dente.  Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.  Add the minced garlic, diced chipotle and sauce.  Cook for a minute until fragrant.  Add your flour and whisk constantly for about 2 minutes.  Slowly add milk and bring to a boil and simmer for a minute until it thickens.  Remove from heat and add the cheese a handful at a time until melted.  Add the caramelized onions and pasta and mix thoroughly.  

Place in a baking dish and bake at 375 for about 30 minutes.