Macaroni Bake Crispy Onion Rings (Printable Version)
Cheesy baked macaroni crowned with golden onion rings delivers creamy comfort and irresistible crunch.
# The Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Pasta and Sauce
01 - 10.5 ounces elbow macaroni
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
04 - 2 cups whole milk
05 - 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
06 - 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
07 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
08 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Crispy Onion Rings
11 - 1 large yellow onion, sliced into 1/4 inch rings
12 - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
13 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
14 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
16 - 1/2 cup cold sparkling water
17 - Vegetable oil, for frying
→ Topping
18 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, optional
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a medium baking dish approximately 8x12 inches.
02 - Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente, 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add milk, whisking continuously, until smooth. Continue to stir until sauce thickens, about 4-5 minutes.
04 - Remove sauce from heat. Mix in cheddar, mozzarella, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until cheese is melted and sauce is velvety.
05 - Fold drained macaroni into cheese sauce. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Top with Parmesan cheese if desired.
06 - Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until top is golden and bubbling.
07 - While casserole bakes, whisk together flour, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Pour in cold sparkling water and whisk to form a smooth batter.
08 - Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Dip onion rings into batter, let excess drip off, and fry in batches until golden brown and crisp, about 2 minutes per side. Drain rings on paper towels.
09 - Allow baked macaroni to cool for 5 minutes. Top with crispy onion rings and sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Uses everyday pantry ingredients for both the pasta and the crunchy topping
- Ready to eat in under an hour from start to finish
- No boring casseroles here the onion ring topping brings irresistible crunch and flavor
- Crowd-pleaser for both adults and picky kids
02 -
- Ideal for make-ahead since leftovers reheat beautifully
- Both kids and grownups love the crunchy onion rings on top
- Surprisingly simple even for novice cooks
03 -
- If you want your onion rings extra crisp dust the onions lightly in plain flour before dipping into the batter
- Always taste the cheese sauce just before adding the pasta Cheddar can vary in saltiness
- To prevent mushy pasta slightly undercook before it goes in the oven The sauce will finish the job giving perfectly tender noodles