Caramelized Onion Pasta Sauce
Caramelized Onion Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
For the Caramelized Onion Sauce
- 4 large onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 egg yolks
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup water, approximately
- 1 salt, to taste
- 1 black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
For Serving
- 1 pound spaghetti, cooked al dente
- 1 fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the onions: Thinly slice the 4 large onions. Aim for consistent thickness to ensure even caramelization.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Caramelize the onions: In a large, heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven, melt the 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions to the pan. Cook the onions slowly, stirring frequently, for at least 60-75 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown and caramelized. This long cooking process is crucial for developing their rich, sweet flavor.
⏱️ 75 min
- 3
Prepare the sauce base: Once the onions are deeply caramelized, transfer them from the pan to a heatproof bowl.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Add remaining sauce ingredients: To the bowl with the caramelized onions, add the 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil, 3 egg yolks, 3/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Blend the sauce: Using an immersion blender, blend the mixture until it is smooth and creamy. Gradually add the 1 cup of water, a little at a time, while blending, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. You may not need all the water, or you might need a little more, depending on how thick you prefer your sauce.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Cook the pasta: While preparing the sauce, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until it is al dente.
⏱️ 10 min
- 7
Combine pasta and sauce: Once the spaghetti is cooked, do not drain it. Immediately transfer the cooked spaghetti directly from the pot into a clean, large pan or back into the pan used for caramelizing the onions (if it's large enough) with the prepared caramelized onion sauce. Use tongs to help transfer the pasta.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Mix and serve: Toss the pasta and sauce vigorously to ensure the spaghetti is thoroughly coated. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Caramelized Onion Pasta Sauce
For the Caramelized Onion Sauce
- 4 large onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 egg yolks
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup water, approximately
- 1 salt, to taste
- 1 black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
For Serving
- 1 pound spaghetti, cooked al dente
- 1 fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the onions: Thinly slice the 4 large onions. Aim for consistent thickness to ensure even caramelization.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Caramelize the onions: In a large, heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven, melt the 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions to the pan. Cook the onions slowly, stirring frequently, for at least 60-75 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown and caramelized. This long cooking process is crucial for developing their rich, sweet flavor.
⏱️ 75 min - 3
Prepare the sauce base: Once the onions are deeply caramelized, transfer them from the pan to a heatproof bowl.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Add remaining sauce ingredients: To the bowl with the caramelized onions, add the 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil, 3 egg yolks, 3/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Blend the sauce: Using an immersion blender, blend the mixture until it is smooth and creamy. Gradually add the 1 cup of water, a little at a time, while blending, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. You may not need all the water, or you might need a little more, depending on how thick you prefer your sauce.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Cook the pasta: While preparing the sauce, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until it is al dente.
⏱️ 10 min - 7
Combine pasta and sauce: Once the spaghetti is cooked, do not drain it. Immediately transfer the cooked spaghetti directly from the pot into a clean, large pan or back into the pan used for caramelizing the onions (if it's large enough) with the prepared caramelized onion sauce. Use tongs to help transfer the pasta.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Mix and serve: Toss the pasta and sauce vigorously to ensure the spaghetti is thoroughly coated. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min