Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Serving Size: 3-4 servings

Ingredients

For caramelized onions:
2 large yellow onions, cut into thin slices
2-3 tbsp butter or vegetable oil
½ tsp fine kosher or sea salt

For cheese sauce:
4 cups whole milk
3 tbsp butter, room temperature
3 tbsp flour
1/2 Santa Lucia mozzarella ball, grated
½ cup white cheddar cheese, grated
Fine kosher or sea salt

For assembly:
3 cups cooked macaroni, or another favorite pasta shape
Caramelized onions (from recipe)
Cheese sauce (from recipe)
½ Santa Lucia Mozzarella ball, cut into 1-inch cubes

Breadcrumbs, optional

Cracked pepper, optional

Method

Make the caramelized onions: In a medium saucepan, add thinly sliced onions, ½ tsp salt, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil or butter. Place over medium low stirring every couple minutes. Sauté for 30-40 minutes, or until onions are golden brown and caramelized. If they are starting to burn before they turn golden brown, add more oil or butter to the pan and continue cooking. Once caramelized, set aside.

Make the cheese sauce: In a large saucepan, add milk and set over medium-high heat. Using a spatula, stir constantly while the milk comes to a simmer. In a small bowl, add flour and butter. Mash together to form a paste. Once the milk is simmering, add the milk/flour paste and whisk vigorously to incorporate. Once incorporated, continue stirring with a whisk until the milk becomes thick enough to coat the back of the whisk. Once milk has thickened, remove from heat. Add ½ Santa Lucia Mozzarella ball grated, grated white cheddar, and 1 tsp salt. Stir until cheese has melted into the milk. Taste and season with more salt if needed.

Assemble and broil: Preheat oven to highest broil setting. In a large pot, add cheese sauce, caramelized onion, and 3 cups of cooked pasta. Stir until combined. Transfer to a cast iron pan, stainless steel pan, or oven-safe glass dish. Top with Santa Lucia Mozzarella cubes and slices of white cheddar cheese. Cover with breadcrumbs for an added crunch. Place in top rack of oven and broil for 2-5 minutes, or until cheese has melted and turned a golden brown. Serve immediately.