Creamy Caramelized Onion Spaghetti
Creamy Caramelized Onion Spaghetti
Ingredients
For the Caramelized Onions and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 onions, large, sliced into half-moons
- 2 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 dried garlic flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 cup pasta water, reserved from cooking pasta
For Serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded, or Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon chili oil, extra, for drizzling
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the spaghetti. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Drain the spaghetti and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown, soft, and beautifully caramelized. This step is crucial for flavor development, so do not rush it.
⏱️ 30 min
- 3
Add the minced garlic to the caramelized onions and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the 1 tablespoon of chili oil (or more if you prefer a spicier kick) and the soy sauce, cooking for another minute to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Pour in the heavy cream and the reserved pasta water. Stir well to combine. Season the sauce with oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, dried garlic flakes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together using tongs, ensuring the pasta is thoroughly coated. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, tossing frequently, until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the chopped fresh basil. Serve immediately, garnished with plenty of shredded mozzarella or grated Parmesan cheese and an extra drizzle of chili oil, if desired.
⏱️ 5 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 onions, large, sliced into half-moons
- 2 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 dried garlic flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 cup pasta water, reserved from cooking pasta
For Serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded, or Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon chili oil, extra, for drizzling
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the spaghetti. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Drain the spaghetti and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown, soft, and beautifully caramelized. This step is crucial for flavor development, so do not rush it.
⏱️ 30 min - 3
Add the minced garlic to the caramelized onions and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the 1 tablespoon of chili oil (or more if you prefer a spicier kick) and the soy sauce, cooking for another minute to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Pour in the heavy cream and the reserved pasta water. Stir well to combine. Season the sauce with oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, dried garlic flakes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together using tongs, ensuring the pasta is thoroughly coated. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, tossing frequently, until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the chopped fresh basil. Serve immediately, garnished with plenty of shredded mozzarella or grated Parmesan cheese and an extra drizzle of chili oil, if desired.
⏱️ 5 min