This delicious & simple Caramelized Onion Pasta Recipe is bursting with umami flavors! Whether you're hosting a dinner party or it's another busy weeknight, this is one of the best one pot pasta recipes you will ever try!
This pasta recipe is so easy and delicious with the most amazing flavours resulting from the sweet caramelized onions! With only 6 simple ingredients & short cooking time, you will fall in love with this simple dish! You'll find the full recipe below!
This recipe is very popular during the special holidays which are calling for warm cozy meals full of flavour and leaving your guests in awe.
If you love pasta recipes, you'll also love my...Creamier Carbonara & Marry Me Chicken Pasta!
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Ingredients for Simple Caramelized Onion Pasta Recipe
- Olive oil
- Spaghetti
- Unsalted Butter
- Yellow onions
- Chili oil
- Heavy cream
- Parsley
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions & Video
- In a large pan, heat extra-virgin olive oil at the bottom of the pan and a little butter over low to medium heat in a large skillet. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced onions. Allow the onions to caramelize slowly for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once they turn a deep golden brown color and develop a sweet aroma, reduce the heat to low and continue stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the chili oil until well combined. Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the sauce along with some starchy pasta water. Allow the pasta and sauce to simmer together on medium-high heat for a couple more minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure they are evenly combined.
- Turn off the heat and sprinkle the freshly chopped parsley over the pasta, add in a teaspoon of salt. Let it cool a couple minutes, serve and savor every delicious bite of your caramelized onion pasta!
Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card!:)
Substitutions
- Olive oil: Canola oil, vegetable oil, or sunflower oil.
- Unsalted Butter: Margarine or vegan butter.
- Spaghetti: Any pasta shape you have on hand.
- Yellow Onions: White onions, any kind of onions you have on hand or shallots.
- Chili Oil: Fresh chili peppers, tomato sauce, tomato paste or hot sauce.
- Heavy Cream: Half-and-half, cashew cream or coconut cream.
- Parsley: Fresh cilantro or basil.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic cloves(minced), red onions or garlic paste.
Equipment for Simple Caramelized Onion Pasta Recipe
- Large Skillet
- Large Pot
- Knife
- Cutting board
How to Store and Reheat
To store, transfer cooled pasta and sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days.
To reheat, microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway, or reheat on the stove over low heat until warmed through. Add a splash of milk or cream if needed to revive the sauce's consistency.
3 Top Tips for Success
- Patience with Caramelization: Take your time caramelizing the onions over low heat for maximum flavor development.
- Balancing Flavors: Adjust the amount of chili oil and garlic powder to suit your preferred level of heat and garlic intensity.
- Pasta Al Dente: Cook the pasta just until al dente to ensure it retains a pleasant texture when combined with the creamy sauce.
FAQ's for Simple Caramelized Onion Pasta Recipe
To caramelize onions, cook them slowly over low heat in oil or butter, stirring occasionally, until they turn golden brown and develop a sweet, rich flavor. This process typically takes about 20-30 minutes.
Onions caramelize well with both butter and oil, but butter adds richness while oil allows for higher cooking temperatures without risk of burning. Combining both can enhance flavor and prevent burning. Choose based on desired taste and cooking preferences.
Adding sugar is optional but can help speed up caramelization and enhance sweetness. However, it's not necessary as onions naturally contain sugars that caramelize during cooking. Adjust based on desired sweetness and caramelization speed.
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite desserts to serve with this Simple Caramelized Onion Pasta Recipe:
Simple Caramelized Onion Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large pan, heat extra-virgin olive oil at the bottom of the pan and a little butter over low to medium heat in a large skillet. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced onions. Allow the onions to caramelize slowly for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once they turn a deep golden brown color and develop a sweet aroma, reduce the heat to low and continue stirring occasionally. (WATCH FULL VIDEO BELOW)
- Stir in the chilli oil until well combined. Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the sauce along with some starchy pasta water. Allow the pasta and sauce to simmer together on medium-high heat for a couple more minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure they are evenly combined.
- Turn off the heat and sprinkle the freshly chopped parsley over the pasta, add in a teaspoon of salt. Let it cool a couple minutes, serve and savor every delicious bite of your caramelized onion pasta! (WATCH FULL VIDEO BELOW)
Notes
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Isadora Oliveira Vaz says
Where can I see the recipe card for quantities?
Maja Ilic says
Hey Isadora! So at the top of the page right after the first paragraph there is a "Jump to Recipe" Button, if you click that it'll scroll down to the recipe card!:)
Lauren says
What quantity of pasta does this sauce recipe cover?
warren coates says
What a fantastic recipe that my 17 year old daughter found and I stepped up like a super dad...ya thanks.
lisa k Menko says
Awesome dish! i added fresh grated parm cheese which was yummy. i just have one note I would add......I would measure the onion by cups. onions come in all sizes. Just a thought. Delicious dinner!