Caramelized Onion and Garlic Spaghetti

Ingredients

• 1 large onion (Thinly sliced)
• 4 garlic cloves (Fresh, minced)
• 2 tbsp butter (For cooking the onions)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (For cooking the onions)
• 8 oz pasta (Pasta of your choice)
• 1 cup cream or coconut milk (Room temperature)
• 2 tbsp chili crisp (Add an extra spoonful on top when serving if desired)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (Optional)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (Fresh, grated)
• 1 tsp paprika (Part of the seasonings)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (Part of the seasonings)
• 1 tsp salt (Part of the seasonings; additional salt is used in the pasta water)
• 1 tsp black pepper (Part of the seasonings)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (Part of the seasonings)
• water (For salted pasta water, reserving pasta water, and loosening the onions or sauce as needed)
• fresh parsley (Optional, for sprinkling over the finished pasta)

Steps

1. 1

   Thinly slice the onion and mince the fresh garlic. Measure the paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Bring the cream or coconut milk to room temperature.

2. 2

   Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

3. 3

   Add the sliced onion to the skillet. Cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is golden and jammy. If it begins to stick, add a splash of water.

4. 4

   While the onions caramelize, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to the package directions.

5. 5

   Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta water before draining.

6. 6

   When the onions are deeply golden, add the minced garlic, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir and cook for about 1 minute so the garlic and seasonings bloom.

7. 7

   Add the chili crisp and sauté for 1 minute, stirring it into the onion mixture.

8. 8

   Pour in the room-temperature cream or coconut milk. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes, then add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until incorporated.

9. 9

   Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until evenly coated. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce, aiming for a silky rather than sticky consistency.

10. 10

    Serve hot with an extra spoonful of chili crisp on top and, if desired, a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Notes

The source does not specify the exact amount of pasta water, additional water for loosening, or the quantity of optional parsley and serving chili crisp. The dish is suggested with chicken, shrimp, or tofu, but no amounts or preparation instructions are provided for those accompaniments.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• vegetarian
• comfort food
• stovetop
• spicy
• quick meal
• Italian-inspired