Creamy Brown Butter Caramelized Onion Roasted Garlic Pasta
Creamy Brown Butter Caramelized Onion Roasted Garlic Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta, such as spaghetti
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 white onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, roasted and minced, or 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon chili oil, or to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 cup pasta water, reserved from cooking
- chili flakes, for garnish, as needed
- fresh herbs, for garnish, such as parsley or basil, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter turns a rich, nutty brown color and smells fragrant. This is brown butter.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Add the thinly sliced white onions to the brown butter. Reduce heat to medium-low and caramelize the onions slowly, stirring frequently, until they are deeply golden brown and softened. This will take about 20-30 minutes. Be patient, as this step develops a lot of flavor.
⏱️ 25 min
- 4
Once the onions are caramelized, add the roasted and minced garlic (or fresh minced garlic), paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and chili oil to the pan. Sauté briefly with the onions for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, ensuring everything is well combined.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Pour in the heavy cream and soy sauce. Stir well to combine. Add the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the mixture, stirring constantly until it melts and the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Add the cooked and drained pasta directly into the pan with the creamy sauce. Toss thoroughly with tongs until all the pasta strands are evenly coated in the rich sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time (1/4 cup increments), while tossing, until the desired creamy consistency is achieved.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Serve the pasta immediately. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese, a sprinkle of chili flakes, and fresh herbs if desired.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Brown Butter Caramelized Onion Roasted Garlic Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta, such as spaghetti
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 white onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, roasted and minced, or 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon chili oil, or to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 cup pasta water, reserved from cooking
- chili flakes, for garnish, as needed
- fresh herbs, for garnish, such as parsley or basil, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter turns a rich, nutty brown color and smells fragrant. This is brown butter.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Add the thinly sliced white onions to the brown butter. Reduce heat to medium-low and caramelize the onions slowly, stirring frequently, until they are deeply golden brown and softened. This will take about 20-30 minutes. Be patient, as this step develops a lot of flavor.
⏱️ 25 min - 4
Once the onions are caramelized, add the roasted and minced garlic (or fresh minced garlic), paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and chili oil to the pan. Sauté briefly with the onions for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, ensuring everything is well combined.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Pour in the heavy cream and soy sauce. Stir well to combine. Add the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the mixture, stirring constantly until it melts and the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Add the cooked and drained pasta directly into the pan with the creamy sauce. Toss thoroughly with tongs until all the pasta strands are evenly coated in the rich sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time (1/4 cup increments), while tossing, until the desired creamy consistency is achieved.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Serve the pasta immediately. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese, a sprinkle of chili flakes, and fresh herbs if desired.