Caramelized Onion Pasta with Chili Oil

Ingredients

• 3 yellow onions (large, thinly sliced)
• 2 tbsp butter (for caramelizing onions)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• salt (to taste)
• 250 g pasta (such as linguine or spaghetti)
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 0.25 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
• 0.25 cup pasta water (reserved from boiling)
• 2 tbsp chili oil (for drizzling)
• fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Thinly slice the onions. In a large skillet or pan, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium-low heat.

2. 2

   Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt to the skillet. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deep golden brown and caramelized, which should take about 30 to 40 minutes. If the onions start to stick, add a splash of water to deglaze the pan.

3. 3

   While the onions are caramelizing, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.

4. 4

   Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1/4 cup of the starchy pasta water.

5. 5

   Once the onions are fully caramelized, pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Let it simmer for a minute until slightly thickened.

6. 6

   Add the cooked pasta, grated parmesan cheese, and the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss everything together over low heat until the pasta is thoroughly coated in the creamy onion sauce.

7. 7

   Plate the pasta and drizzle generously with chili oil. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For the best results, do not rush the onions; low and slow heat is key to achieving the sweet caramelization that defines this dish. Adjust the amount of chili oil based on your spice preference.

Nutrition per serving

• pasta
• main course
• vegetarian
• spicy
• comfort food
• caramelized onions
• dinner