FRENCH ONION MAC AND CHEESE RECIPES

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until the slices start to wilt and turn translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the onion soup mix, thyme and 2 tablespoons water. Turn the heat to low, then continue to cook, stirring and adding more water a tablespoon at a time if the mixture gets too dry, until the onions are very soft and golden brown, 5 to 10 more minutes.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a saute pan over medium heat. Spread 1 teaspoon mustard onto one side of each slice of bread. Divide the Cheddar, Gruyere, caramelized onions and crispy onions between 2 of the slices of bread on top of the mustard. Top each with another slice of bread, mustard-side in, and lay the sandwiches in the pan. Cook, pressing down on top of the sandwiches, until the bottoms are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the pan and flip the sandwiches, cooking until the cheese is melted and the bottoms are golden brown, about 3 more minutes. Cut in half and serve.

Steps:

• Add butter and oil to the Instant Pot. Using the display panel select the SAUTÉ function.
• When butter is melted, add onion, brown sugar, thyme, garlic and bay leaf to the pot.
• Cook and stir for 10-15 minutes until onions have cooked down by half and have a pasta-like consistency.
• Add brandy to the pot and deglaze by using a wooden spoon to scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
• Continue to cook and stir until alcohol has cooked off, then add red wine and warmed broth to the pot and stir.
• Turn the pot off by selecting CANCEL , then secure the lid, making sure the vent is closed.
• Using the display panel select the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK function*. Use the +/- keys and program the Instant Pot for 8 minutes.
• When the time is up, quick-release the remaining pressure. Remove and discard thyme stems and bay leaf. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Ladle the soup into crocks, place a slice of bread on each crock and a slice of cheese on each piece of bread. Sprinkle with paprika.
• Put crocks on a baking sheet lined with foil and set under the broiler until the top begins to bubble and brown, 5-7 minutes.