Caramelized Onion Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 2 tablespoons butter melted
• 16 oz block cheddar cheese shredded white
• 6 large eggs 
• 8 oz elbow macaroni 
• 4 cups milk 
• 2 large onions thinly sliced
• 4 oz parmesan cheese shredded
• 0.5 teaspoon pepper 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 32  saltines divided crushed finely
• 1 teaspoon sugar 

Equipment

• frying pan
• oven
• whisk
• baking pan

Directions

1. Prepare macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside.
2. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add sliced onions and 1 tsp. sugar. Cook, stirring often, 15 to 20 minutes or until onions are caramel-colored.
4. Layer half each of macaroni, onions, cheeses, and cracker crumbs in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish.
5. Layer with remaining macaroni, onions, and cheeses.
6. Whisk together eggs and next 3 ingredients; pour over macaroni mixture.
7. Stir together remaining cracker crumbs, melted butter, and, if desired, pecans.
8. Sprinkle evenly over macaroni mixture.
9. Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until golden brown and set.
10. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.