Caramelized Onion Pasta
Caramelized Onion Pasta
Ingredients
- 3 yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup chili oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 12 ounces fusilli pasta
Instructions
- 1
Begin by thinly slicing the 3 yellow onions. Aim for consistent, thin slices to ensure even caramelization.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-low heat.
⏱️ 1 min
- 3
Add the thinly sliced onions to the pan. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized to a rich, dark brown color. This process can take 30-40 minutes. Be patient, as this step is crucial for flavor.
⏱️ 35 min
- 4
While the onions are caramelizing, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil for the pasta.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Once the onions are caramelized, add the 3 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Stir in 1/4 cup of tomato paste. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, to deepen its flavor.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Pour in 1/2 cup of red wine to deglaze the pan. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Allow the wine to reduce by about half.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Cook the fusilli pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
⏱️ 10 min
- 9
Add 1 cup of the reserved pasta water to the onion mixture in the pan. Stir well to combine and create a sauce.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream until it is well incorporated and the sauce becomes creamy.
⏱️ 1 min
- 11
Add 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup of chili oil to the sauce. Stir to combine.
⏱️ 1 min
- 12
Transfer the cooked pasta directly into the sauce in the pan. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the caramelized onion sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 13
Season the pasta with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 1 min
- 14
Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese or a drizzle of chili oil, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Caramelized Onion Pasta
- 3 yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup chili oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 12 ounces fusilli pasta
Instructions
- 1
Begin by thinly slicing the 3 yellow onions. Aim for consistent, thin slices to ensure even caramelization.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-low heat.
⏱️ 1 min - 3
Add the thinly sliced onions to the pan. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized to a rich, dark brown color. This process can take 30-40 minutes. Be patient, as this step is crucial for flavor.
⏱️ 35 min - 4
While the onions are caramelizing, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil for the pasta.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Once the onions are caramelized, add the 3 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Stir in 1/4 cup of tomato paste. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, to deepen its flavor.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Pour in 1/2 cup of red wine to deglaze the pan. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Allow the wine to reduce by about half.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Cook the fusilli pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
⏱️ 10 min - 9
Add 1 cup of the reserved pasta water to the onion mixture in the pan. Stir well to combine and create a sauce.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream until it is well incorporated and the sauce becomes creamy.
⏱️ 1 min - 11
Add 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup of chili oil to the sauce. Stir to combine.
⏱️ 1 min - 12
Transfer the cooked pasta directly into the sauce in the pan. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the caramelized onion sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 13
Season the pasta with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 1 min - 14
Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese or a drizzle of chili oil, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min