Creamy Caramelized Onion Spaghetti
Creamy Caramelized Onion Spaghetti
Ingredients
For the Caramelized Onions and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 yellow onions, large, sliced into half-moons
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili oil, or more, to taste
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Pasta and Garnish
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded, or Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon chili oil, extra, for finishing
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the spaghetti. While the water heats, begin caramelizing the onions.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30-35 minutes, or until they are very soft, deeply golden brown, and beautifully caramelized. This process requires patience to achieve the best flavor.
⏱️ 35 min
- 3
Once the onions are caramelized, add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the chili oil and soy sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Pour in the heavy cream. Add the dried oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to low and let it gently simmer while you cook the pasta.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
Add the cooked spaghetti directly to the skillet with the sauce. Add about 1 cup of the reserved pasta water to the sauce. Toss everything together vigorously, using tongs, until the spaghetti is well coated and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Remove from heat. Stir in the chopped fresh basil and half of the shredded mozzarella or grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining mozzarella or Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of extra chili oil.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Caramelized Onion Spaghetti
For the Caramelized Onions and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 yellow onions, large, sliced into half-moons
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili oil, or more, to taste
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Pasta and Garnish
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded, or Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon chili oil, extra, for finishing
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the spaghetti. While the water heats, begin caramelizing the onions.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30-35 minutes, or until they are very soft, deeply golden brown, and beautifully caramelized. This process requires patience to achieve the best flavor.
⏱️ 35 min - 3
Once the onions are caramelized, add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the chili oil and soy sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Pour in the heavy cream. Add the dried oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to low and let it gently simmer while you cook the pasta.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
Add the cooked spaghetti directly to the skillet with the sauce. Add about 1 cup of the reserved pasta water to the sauce. Toss everything together vigorously, using tongs, until the spaghetti is well coated and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Remove from heat. Stir in the chopped fresh basil and half of the shredded mozzarella or grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining mozzarella or Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of extra chili oil.
⏱️ 1 min