Oh, yes—Caramelized Onion Pasta is a simple yet deeply flavorful dish. 🧅🍝 The sweet, golden onions create a natural “sauce” that coats the pasta beautifully. Here’s a step-by-step recipe:
Ingredients (serves 2–4)
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne work well)
- 3 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp olive oil or 2 tbsp butter (or a mix)
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp sugar (optional, helps caramelize onions faster)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain the rest. Set aside.
2. Caramelize the onions
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add sliced onions and salt, stirring occasionally.
- Cook 25–30 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until onions are deep golden brown and sweet.
- Optional: add ½ tsp sugar after 10 minutes to speed up caramelization.
3. Add garlic & season
- Add minced garlic and thyme (if using) and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Season with black pepper.
4. Combine with pasta
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet with caramelized onions.
- Toss to coat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water to help the onions cling to the noodles.
- Stir in Parmesan if desired.
5. Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.
- Optional: drizzle with a little olive oil or add toasted pine nuts for crunch.
💡 Tips for perfect caramelized onion pasta:
- Patience is key—low and slow gives the best sweet, deep flavor.
- A splash of white wine or balsamic vinegar at the end adds complexity.
- Can be served as-is or paired with grilled chicken, sausage, or mushrooms for a heartier meal.
If you want, I can give you a “creamy caramelized onion pasta” version with a silky garlic cream sauce that takes it from simple to indulgent.
Do you want me to do that?
