Macaroni and Cheese with Pancetta and Caramelized Onions
Macaroni and Cheese with Pancetta and Caramelized Onions is an Italian-American version of our favorite mac and cheese casserole. This one is made with a mixture of three cheeses, some light cream, crispy pancetta, and caramelized onions. Then it is baked with shredded mozzarella on top. It’s delicious, light in texture, and loaded with flavor!

Originally published in 2015 and now with more in-depth descriptions, clearer instructions, we hope you will enjoy all the new features in this recipe post!
Macaroni and Cheese Casserole… But Better!
We love mac and cheese, and this one not only exceeds our expectations, it is exquisite and restaurant-worthy. This is a recipe I decided to make on a whim.
My family was craving a mac and cheese dinner, so I looked into what ingredients I had on hand and realized I had some packages of shredded cheeses and pancetta leftover in the fridge. So I decided to use them in this recipe to give my mac and cheese more depth of flavor.ย
Best of all, this recipe is perfect to serve family and friends for all gatherings and game nights. You can easily prep this mac and cheese casserole in the morning, wrap and chill, then bake when company arrives.
If you love casseroles for dinner, then don’t miss our easy Ravioli Bake Casserole, Baked Long Fusilli Casserole (Baked Spaghetti), and Tortellini Mac and Cheese. These are just as popular as the macaroni and cheese with pancetta and caramelized onions.
Tell Us About This Macaroni and Cheese with Pancetta and Caramelized Onions
INGREDIENTS: This mac and cheese is unique. It’s more like an Italian-American casserole, featuring Italian bacon, such as pancetta, along with caramelized onions. The mixture of cheeses adds a bonus. While mozzarella, mild cheddar, and Gruyรจre contribute a pleasant mild flavor, they also create the luscious creamy texture that everyone loves and expects from mac and cheese.
FLAVOR: The flavors are amazing in this mac and cheese! The pancetta added a nice smoky flavor, not too overpowering. The bonus to our mac and cheese with pancetta is the wonderful flavor of caramelized onions. YES… Caramelized onions add a rich flavor to our mac and cheese. You’ll notice the difference right away!
THE TEXTURE: The texture is light and fluffy, while it’s creamy too. To make it lighter in calories and texture, I decided to add half-and-half instead of heavy cream or butter.
THE TIME:ย I added each ingredient directly into the baking dish, then combined the mixture and baked. This not only saves some time, but also helps clean up to be less of a fuss.

Recipe Tips
- This recipe calls for only 2 cups of elbow pasta. And, it was just the right amount for my 7 x 11-inch baking dish.
- With this recipe, you can double the ingredients for a larger casserole and more servings.
- Also, if you prefer, you can add additional cheeses or any shredded cheeses you have on hand.
- And, I easily mixed everything directly into my casserole dish, instead of a mixing bowl, making clean up so much easier.

Ingredients You Will Need:
For this macaroni and cheese with pancetta and caramelized onions, you will need the following ingredients:
- Elbow Pasta – We prefer elbow pasta with this recipe. And, of course, you can use gluten-free small pasta as well.
- Pancetta – we prefer Italian bacon, called pancetta. You can find it in packages in your Deli section, and it comes already chopped.
- Onions – you can use any yellow or sweet onions with this recipe, and you will need about 2 to 3 onions.
- Olive Oil – you will need some olive oil to sautรฉ and caramelize the onions in a skillet. You can also try our new recipe for Caramelized Onions in the Oven, as a new way and a hands-free way to make them.
- Shredded Cheeses – I used mild shredded cheddar cheese, some Gruyere, and shredded mozzarella on top.
- Light Cream – For this recipe, I used half and half and enough of it to make this mac and cheese creamy, delicious, but not overpowering.
- Seasonings – Some salt and black pepper are all you will need for this recipe.
- Olive Oil Cooking Spray – Some olive oil cooking spray is needed for the baking dish; no need to butter it, making it less work.
How To Make Macaroni and Cheese with Pancetta and Caramelized Onions?
If this is your first time making this mac and cheese casserole, no worries, it is relatively easy. First, gather all your ingredients. Plus, our full recipe card is located at the bottom. But first, let’s go over the steps so you can understand what’s involved before you start.
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180C). Lightly spray all four sides of a (7 x 11) medium-sized casserole dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, cook the elbow pasta in boiling water with 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook pasta for about 5 to 7 minutes until “al dente.” Then drain.
3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the pancetta until fully cooked and crispy. Drain and discard the fat. Transfer the cooked bacon to a 7 x 11 baking casserole dish.
4. In the same skillet, add olive oil and sautรฉ the onions for about 5 to 7 minutes, over moderate heat until onions are tender and golden brown. Transfer onions to the baking dish.

5. Using a wooden spoon, transfer the cooked elbow pasta to the baking dish.
6. Next, add about 1+1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella (reserve the other 1/2 cup for topping), along with the cheddar cheese, Gruyere cheese, and fresh cracked black pepper. Then pour in the half-and-half.

7. Give it a good stir and mix until everything until well combined.

8. Bake, uncovered, for the first 20 minutes. Remove and stir gently. Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella. Then return to the oven and continue to bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is completely melted. Remove and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Serves 6
FAQ’s
- Can we make ahead? Yes, you can prepare this mac and cheese casserole ahead of time. Remember to wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake. Then remove the baking dish from the fridge and allow it to warm up to room temperature before baking it, as in our instructions in our recipe card.
- Can we freeze this mac and cheese casserole? First, it’s a good idea to bake it, then allow it to cool completely before freezing it. And, it’s best to freeze only for one month.

A Delicious Casserole for Dinner
Your family and friends will adore our mac and cheese with pancetta and caramelized onions! This is such a delicious mac and cheese casserole. Everyone gave me a thumbs up, even my daughter, who is a picky eater, loved it! I was so happy it turned out well. After all, I created this recipe myself and was very happy with the outcome! And so will you!
The best part is taking leftovers (if any) for lunch the next day!
Enjoy!
More Recipes for Mac and Cheese!
Hi friends! Are you cooking or baking with us? If you make our mac and cheese with pancetta and caramelized onions, let us know and leave a comment and a star rating below! We’d love to hear from you. ๐ Snap a photo and share it on Instagram or Pinterest! We love to see what you’ve cooked.

Macaroni and Cheese with Pancetta and Caramelized Onions
Macaroni and Cheese with Pancetta and Caramelized Onions are made with a creamy white sauce made from three different kinds of cheese and half-and-half, then topped with shredded mozzarella and baked with crispy pancetta and caramelized onions. Light, creamy and delicious, I promise everyone will be back for seconds!
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow pasta, or (GF) elbow pasta
- 1 package (4 ounces) Pancetta-chopped
- 2 to 3 medium Sweet Onions-chopped
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 cup shredded Mild Cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese -divided
- 3 ounces Gruyere cheese -minced
- 1 + 1/2 cups half-and-half
- 1/8 tsp. fresh cracked pepper
- olive oil cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175C). Next, lightly spray all sides of a (7 x 11) medium-size casserole dish with cooking spray and set it nearby.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, fill it with water, and place it on stove top over high heat. Bring the water to a full boil. Toss in the elbow pasta along with 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook pasta for about 5 to 7 minutes until "al dente." Then drain in the colander.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the pancetta until fully cooked and crispy, over moderate heat, and about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Drain and discard the fat. Transfer the cooked pancetta to a 7 x 11 baking casserole dish.
- Using the same skillet, add the olive oil and toss in the onions. Sauté the onions for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown. Transfer the onions to the baking dish.
- Next, transfer the cooked elbow pasta to the baking dish, using a wooden spoon. Add 1 + 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella (reserve the other 1/2 cup for topping), cheddar cheese, Gruyere cheese, and fresh cracked black pepper.
- Pour in the half-and-half. Stir gently the mixture inside the baking dish, until everything is well combined.
- Bake in the oven, uncovered, for the first 20 minutes. Then, remove and stir gently the mixture. Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella. Then return to the oven and Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is completely melted. Let stand for about 5 minutes before serving.
- Serves 6
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 servings Serving Size: 1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 506Total Fat: 35gCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: .8gSugar: 2.4gProtein: 28.6g
Have a Delicious Day! ๐
Thanks for stopping by! ๐
xo Anna and Liz
FREE EMAIL BONUS
Weeknight Dinners Made Easy
Tips & recipes for delicious meals . . . no matter your skill level!
FREE EMAIL BONUS
Weeknight Dinners Made Easy
Tips & recipes for delicious meals . . . no matter your skill level!
Lol Roz !! We feel the same! Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
Oh I cannot wait to make this recipe . . . I am such a sucker for anything mac and cheese! And with the pancetta — shut the front door you two! Thanks Anna and Liz!
Oh, how you're making my tummy growl! Perfect fall comfort food and I love the addition of onions and pancetta.
Thank you Sue! Our families adore pancetta which is why you will see it in many of our recipes. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
Just got home and have not had dinner yet and your Mac and Cheese looks delicious!! Wish I had some to go along with my dinner! ๐
Thank you Mike for your sweet comment.
Seconds!!! I'd polish off the lot!! totally delicious – a wonderful sophisicated mac and cheese!
I must admit I am not a huge fan of mac and cheese. But this one might change my mind. I will definitely tell my daughter about this as she could eat mac and cheese morning, noon and night!
HI Abbe! Welcome to 2sistersrecipes! Go nice to meet you! My kids too can eat this morning, noon and night! Thanks for stopping by!
Warmly, Anna and Liz
This Macaroni and Cheese with Pancetta and Caramelized Onions screams comfort food to me. As the weather cools down, my family craves for this kind of meal. ๐ Thank you so much for sharing.
Absolutely drooling over this dish! I adore caramelized onions and the addition to this cheesy dish is perfect. Love the cheese combo too!