Caramelized Onion Pasta
Caramelized Onion Pasta
Ingredients
For the Caramelized Onions
- 3 yellow onions, large, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio (optional)
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, such as spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- as needed salt
- as needed black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- 1
Begin by caramelizing the onions. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the onions evenly.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Cook the onions slowly, stirring occasionally, for 45-50 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown and very tender. If the onions start to stick to the bottom of the pot, add a tablespoon or two of water or vegetable broth to deglaze. If using, add the dry white wine during the last 5 minutes of caramelization and cook until evaporated.
⏱️ 50 min
- 3
While the onions are caramelizing, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
Once the onions are caramelized, add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the vegetable broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. If using, add the red pepper flakes.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the pot with the caramelized onion sauce. Toss to combine. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Caramelized Onion Pasta
For the Caramelized Onions
- 3 yellow onions, large, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio (optional)
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, such as spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- as needed salt
- as needed black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- 1
Begin by caramelizing the onions. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the onions evenly.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Cook the onions slowly, stirring occasionally, for 45-50 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown and very tender. If the onions start to stick to the bottom of the pot, add a tablespoon or two of water or vegetable broth to deglaze. If using, add the dry white wine during the last 5 minutes of caramelization and cook until evaporated.
⏱️ 50 min - 3
While the onions are caramelizing, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
Once the onions are caramelized, add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the vegetable broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. If using, add the red pepper flakes.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the pot with the caramelized onion sauce. Toss to combine. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 2 min