Creamy Brown Butter Caramelized Onion Roasted Garlic Pasta
Creamy Brown Butter Caramelized Onion Roasted Garlic Pasta
Ingredients
For the Roasted Garlic
- 1 head of garlic, top trimmed
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta, of choice (e.g., spaghetti, fettuccine)
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, as needed
For the Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili oil, or more, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare the head of garlic by slicing off the top 1/4 inch to expose the cloves. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, wrap in aluminum foil, and roast for 30-40 minutes, or until very soft and fragrant. Once cooled slightly, squeeze the softened garlic cloves into a small bowl and mash into a paste. Set aside.
⏱️ 40 min•🌡️ 400
- 2
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 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the remaining pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 12 min
- 3
While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the butter and cook, swirling occasionally, until it melts and turns a rich golden brown with a nutty aroma. This is brown butter.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Add the thinly sliced onion to the skillet with the brown butter. Reduce heat to medium-low and caramelize the onions, stirring frequently, for 20-30 minutes, or until deeply golden brown and softened. Be patient, this step develops a lot of flavor.
⏱️ 25 min
- 5
Stir in the mashed roasted garlic, 1 tablespoon of chili oil (adjust to your spice preference), salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Mix well to combine and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Pour in the heavy cream and add the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese is melted and the sauce begins to simmer and slightly thicken. Reduce heat to low.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss vigorously to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of extra chili oil, if desired. Enjoy!
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Brown Butter Caramelized Onion Roasted Garlic Pasta
Ingredients
For the Roasted Garlic
- 1 head of garlic, top trimmed
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta, of choice (e.g., spaghetti, fettuccine)
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, as needed
For the Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili oil, or more, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare the head of garlic by slicing off the top 1/4 inch to expose the cloves. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, wrap in aluminum foil, and roast for 30-40 minutes, or until very soft and fragrant. Once cooled slightly, squeeze the softened garlic cloves into a small bowl and mash into a paste. Set aside.
⏱️ 40 min•🌡️ 400 - 2
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 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the remaining pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 12 min - 3
While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the butter and cook, swirling occasionally, until it melts and turns a rich golden brown with a nutty aroma. This is brown butter.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Add the thinly sliced onion to the skillet with the brown butter. Reduce heat to medium-low and caramelize the onions, stirring frequently, for 20-30 minutes, or until deeply golden brown and softened. Be patient, this step develops a lot of flavor.
⏱️ 25 min - 5
Stir in the mashed roasted garlic, 1 tablespoon of chili oil (adjust to your spice preference), salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Mix well to combine and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Pour in the heavy cream and add the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese is melted and the sauce begins to simmer and slightly thicken. Reduce heat to low.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss vigorously to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of extra chili oil, if desired. Enjoy!
⏱️ 1 min