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Bonkers Awesome Mushroom and Onion Shells and Cheese

December 23, 2013 by Joy the Baker 56 Comments

Bonkers Awesome Mushroom and Onion Mac and Cheese

This is the second time in a week that the Pioneer Woman has me bringing down my Dutch oven from the top kitchen shelves.  First it was the Pistachio, Orange, and Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls… and now it’s this extra rich caramelized onion and mushroom Shells and Cheese.  Pasta and cinnamon rolls came successfully come from the same pot?  Gosh… it’s a good life.

These creamy Shells and Cheese are inspired by Ree’s Fancy Mac and Cheese.  Ree adds just about every cheese in the book to her mac and cheese.  Bacon, too.  Because, duh.  We have another Bonkers Awesome episode to prove it!  It’s Part II of my visit to Ree’s Oklahoma ranch.  Can I  tell you a secret?  I forgot my belt in Los Angeles for my visit to the ranch, and my boots still have mud on them.  That’s just real life.  Also in real life?  Ree’s totally ridiculous Fancy Mac and Cheese that I wanted to take on the plane home with me.

Bonkers Awesome Mushroom and Onion Mac and Cheese

Let’s talk about my interpretation!

Bonkers Awesome Mushroom and Onion Mac and Cheese

Original Photography Shot with the Canon EOS 6D Digital SLR. The perfect multimedia solution.

All good things (well… most, really), start with a homemade cream sauce.  These shells and cheese are no exception.  This cream sauce starts with melted butter, all-purpose flour, and milk.  If you ever hear anyone refer to a Bechamel Sauce… this is what they’re referring to.  Nothing fancy.  You know what’s up!

Bonkers Awesome Mushroom and Onion Mac and Cheese

The cream sauce is cooked until thickened.  It just takes about three minutes of stirring and random daydreaming.

Next, we’ll mix a bit of the warm cream sauce with a beaten egg.  I’ve never added egg to my macaroni and cheese, but leave it to Ree to make me live dangerously.  The egg really adds to the richness.  It’s delicious!  We beat the egg with a bit of the warm cream sauce to prepare the egg for the hot life without scrambling it.  That’s called tempering.  I don’t know why I’m being so obtuse.

Bonkers Awesome Mushroom and Onion Mac and Cheese

Eggy cream and and actual cream marry.

I’m really itching to add the cheese.  That’s the best part, really.

Bonkers Awesome Mushroom and Onion Mac and Cheese

Cheese, yes please!  Shredded cheddar, a smidge of shredded Gruyère, and goat cheese too!

I love these three cheeses because they’re super melt-able and have different levels of sharpness and saltiness that balance each other out wonderfully.

Bonkers Awesome Mushroom and Onion Mac and Cheese

This is the sort of sauce you could bathe in.

Not that I would… or did.

Bonkers Awesome Mushroom and Onion Mac and Cheese

Shells in.  Shells tossed.

Now would be a good time to sample (twist my arm).  Adjust the saltiness and spiciness accordingly.

Bonkers Awesome Mushroom and Onion Mac and Cheese

Now it’s time for layering!

Half of the shells and cheese go into a baking pan.  I used a pretty deep 10-inch pie pan.  I think a 9×13-inch pan would work as well.

On top of the first layer of shells and cheese go the caramelized onions and mushrooms.

Bonkers Awesome Mushroom and Onion Mac and Cheese

 Finally, the remaining shells and cheese get piled atop the toppings.  Lastly, butter sautéed panko breadcrumbs.  I mean…

After the shells and cheese are baked, the panko will be golden brown and the cheese will be sizzling.  Take a big spoon to the whole deal and it’s just beyond.  Perfectly salty, and hearty, and comforting, and if you’re not careful you could stand in the kitchen and get through half of the pan no problem.

Winter comfort!  Extra cheesy.

Bonkers Awesome Mushroom and Onion Mac and Cheese

serves 6

Print this Recipe!

4 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided, for cooking the onions and mushrooms

1 large yellow onion, sliced in semi-circles

half a pound of button or cremini mushrooms, cleaned and quartered

salt and pepper to taste

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, divided

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided, plus a bit more for greasing the pan

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups whole milk

1 large egg

1 scant teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

4 ounces goat cheese

1/2 cup shredded Gruyère

1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 pound pasta shells, boiled until just undercooked

1/3 cup panko crumbs

In a medium skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter.  When heated, add the sliced onions and saute until translucent, stirring occasionally.  Add a pinch of salt, a pinch of black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme, and reduce the heat to low.  Continue to cook until the onions are completely browned and thoroughly cooked, about 5 minutes. Spoon caramelized onions into a small bowl and set aside.

In the same skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the quartered mushrooms and stir to coat in fat. Allow the mushrooms to soften and brown, about 2 minutes. Add a pinch of salt, a pinch of black pepper , and remaining thyme and reduce the heat to low. Cook until mushrooms are browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir until mixture is combined. Add the milk and whisk together until mixture has thickened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add scant teaspoon of salt and black pepper. Stir to combine.

In a small bowl, beat the egg. Add a few tablespoons of the warm cream sauce to the egg and whisk together. Once the egg is warmed, add it back to the cream sauce and whisk well to combine.

Reduce heat to low and stir in cheeses. Stir until melted and combined.

Add the cooked pasta and stir until all of the pasta is coated in cheese sauce.
Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking pan. I used a deep 10-inch pie pan, though a 9×13-inch pan would be great as well.
Spoon half of the pasta mixture into the greased pan. Top with caramelized onions and mushrooms. Top with the remaining pasta mixture. Set aside for a moment.
In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Add the bread crumbs and toast until panko has absorbed all the butter. Remove from heat and spoon the bread crumbs over the top of the pasta mixture.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the bread crumbs are browned and the pasta is sizzling. Remove from the oven and serve warm.
Pasta can be made a day ahead and left in the fridge unbaked. Just add the bread crumbs just before baking.

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Filed Under: Bonkers Awesome!, Featured Savory, Holiday, Recipes, Savory

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  1. sophia

    January 29, 2014 at 3:26 am

    HI Love the look of your Baked Turkey Meatballs
    Going to give these ago Love Turkey and Tomato together

    Reply
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  1. I make ugly food & it TASTES SO GOOD: Vol II | DiniBlini says:
    September 10, 2014 at 4:33 am

    […] Awesome Mushroom and Onion Shells and Cheese – Joy The Baker Vaguely Awesome Pasta Cheese MessBonkers Awesome Mushroom and Onion Shells and […]

    Reply
  2. 12 Sinfully Easy Mushroom Recipes You Can Try Now says:
    April 6, 2014 at 10:55 pm

    […] Recipe Source […]

    Reply
  3. Macaroni and cheese | Miss Sweet Nothings says:
    March 24, 2014 at 5:47 am

    […] Bonkers Awesome mushroom and onion shells and cheese […]

    Reply
  4. Baked Shells and Cheese | Acting Like A Chef says:
    February 19, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    […] I follow. And one of my favorites is Joy The Baker. One of her posts from December was a recipe for baked shells with mushrooms and onions and as soon as I saw it I knew I had to make it. My roommate agreed. So that Saturday I did […]

    Reply
  5. Bonkers Awesome Mushroom and Onion Shells and Cheese | Recipe Galore says:
    February 16, 2014 at 1:37 am

    […] Print this Recipe! […]

    Reply
  6. Mushroom, Caramelized Onion Macaroni and Cheese | Mom-Makes... says:
    January 29, 2014 at 11:12 am

    […] Mushroom, Onion Macaroni and Cheese – adapted from Joy the Baker […]

    Reply
  7. December 30, 2013 | Rhino Design Works says:
    January 23, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    […] You had me at caramelized onions. […]

    Reply

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