Pasta with Caramelized Onion and Chili Oil

Ingredients

• 8 oz dry thin spaghetti
• 1 large white onion (thinly sliced)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp butter (divided)
• 4 garlic (pressed or minced)
• 1.5 tbsp chili crisp (plus more for serving, according to desired spice level)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 0.667 cup half and half (Can be substituted with coconut milk for a dairy-free version.)
• 1 tsp paprika
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• fresh parsley (for garnish)
• salt (for lightly salting the cooking water and, as needed, the onion)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter.

2. 2

   Add the thinly sliced onion and cook, stirring frequently, for about 20 minutes, until softened, reduced in volume, and lightly browned, glossy, and caramelized.

3. 3

   While the onion cooks, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.

4. 4

   Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, following the package directions.

5. 5

   Reserve approximately ½ cup of the pasta cooking water and drain the spaghetti.

6. 6

   Add the remaining butter and the pressed or minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute, until the garlic is fragrant.

7. 7

   Add the chili crisp, soy sauce, and honey. Stir until the ingredients are well combined.

8. 8

   Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the half and half and add the paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.

9. 9

   Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes, until slightly thickened and able to coat the back of a spoon.

10. 10

    Add the Parmesan and stir until completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

11. 11

    Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss until completely coated in the sauce.

12. 12

    Add a little of the reserved cooking water only if you need to loosen the sauce.

13. 13

    Serve immediately, finishing with a drizzle of chili crisp oil and fresh parsley on top.

Notes

The author recommends seasoning lightly at the beginning, since the soy sauce already adds salt. Do not rush the thickening of the sauce; it will continue to thicken as it cools. Serve immediately to preserve its creamy, glossy texture. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream. American half and half is approximately equivalent to a mixture of half cream and half milk. It pairs well with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables.

Nutrition per serving

• main dish
• pasta
• vegetarian
• contains dairy
• spicy
• skillet
• Italian cuisine
• quick dinner