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Creamy Caramelized Onion Pasta with Chili Oil

Close-up of creamy caramelized onion pasta topped with fresh parsley and chili flakes in a white bowl.
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Make this deeply flavorful pasta featuring sweet caramelized onions and a kick of chili oil. It is a quick, comforting meal perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (spaghetti or linguine recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup water or vegetable broth
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1–2 teaspoons chili oil, or to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, salt, and pepper.
  3. Cook the onions slowly, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low if they start to brown too quickly. You want them deeply golden brown and sweet.
  4. If the onions stick to the pan, add a tablespoon of water or broth at a time to scrape up the browned bits (deglazing).
  5. When the onions are fully caramelized, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach a silky consistency.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the onion sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated.
  8. Stir in the chili oil. Taste and adjust salt or chili oil as needed.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For faster caramelization, you can add a pinch of sugar to the onions at the start, but this is optional.
  • To make this dish vegan, use full-fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream and omit the Parmesan cheese, or use a vegan Parmesan substitute.
  • You can add cooked chicken breast or sautéed shrimp during the final mixing stage for added protein.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hearthbite.com/caramelized-onion-pasta-recipe/