Description
This Pasta with Caramelized Onions is a comforting dish featuring sweet, golden onions paired with al dente pasta and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225 g) pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or your choice)
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced (about 300 g total)
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Salt, to taste (start with 1 teaspoon and adjust)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup (about 50 g) grated Parmesan cheese (or more, to taste)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain pasta and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a wide skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and butter. When the butter melts, add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt.
- Cook the onions slowly, stirring every few minutes. After about 10 minutes, they’ll soften; after 20–30 minutes, they’ll become richly golden. If they’re browning too quickly, lower the heat.
- Optional: In the last 2 minutes of caramelizing, stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant. If using, deglaze with a tablespoon of white wine or a splash of balsamic vinegar.
- Once the onions are deeply caramelized, add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water to create a glossy sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan, black pepper, and more salt if needed. Toss until the cheese melts into the sauce.
- Serve immediately with a shower of chopped parsley, extra Parmesan, and crushed red pepper if desired.
Notes
Slice onions uniformly for even caramelization. Use a wide skillet for best results. Adjust the seasoning with acidity to brighten the dish.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 40
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 30mg