Caramelized Onion Pasta
Caramelized Onion Pasta
Ingredients
- 3 onions, large, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili paste
- 2 cups pasta water, reserved from cooking pasta
- 1/2 cup coconut milk, full-fat recommended
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1 pound pasta, cooked al dente according to package directions
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Thinly slice the 3 large onions. Aim for consistent thickness for even caramelization.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat until the butter is melted and shimmering.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Add the thinly sliced onions to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized and soft. This process will take a significant amount of time, so be patient and keep the heat low to prevent burning.
⏱️ 45 min
- 4
Once the onions are caramelized, season them with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir to combine.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Stir in 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Add 1 tablespoon of chili paste to the onion mixture and mix well to incorporate.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Pour in 2 cups of reserved pasta water and 1/2 cup of coconut milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine all ingredients and create a sauce.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Stir in 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the caramelized onion sauce.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Toss the pasta thoroughly to ensure it is completely coated with the rich sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
⏱️ 2 min
- 11
Serve immediately, garnished with 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Caramelized Onion Pasta
- 3 onions, large, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili paste
- 2 cups pasta water, reserved from cooking pasta
- 1/2 cup coconut milk, full-fat recommended
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1 pound pasta, cooked al dente according to package directions
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Thinly slice the 3 large onions. Aim for consistent thickness for even caramelization.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat until the butter is melted and shimmering.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Add the thinly sliced onions to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized and soft. This process will take a significant amount of time, so be patient and keep the heat low to prevent burning.
⏱️ 45 min - 4
Once the onions are caramelized, season them with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir to combine.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Stir in 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Add 1 tablespoon of chili paste to the onion mixture and mix well to incorporate.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Pour in 2 cups of reserved pasta water and 1/2 cup of coconut milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine all ingredients and create a sauce.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Stir in 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the caramelized onion sauce.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Toss the pasta thoroughly to ensure it is completely coated with the rich sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
⏱️ 2 min - 11
Serve immediately, garnished with 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min