Description
This Caramelized Onion Pasta with Chilli Oil is a flavorful and comforting Italian-inspired dish that combines slowly caramelized sweet onions with spicy chilli oil for a perfect balance of taste. Tossed with al dente spaghetti and finished with Parmesan cheese, this recipe makes an incredible main course that’s both easy to prepare and satisfying to eat.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
Onion and Sauce
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
Toppings and Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chilli oil (store-bought or homemade)
- Chopped parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water and drain the rest.
- Caramelize the onions: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring often, for about 30–40 minutes until they turn deep golden brown and caramelized.
- Season the onions: Add salt, pepper, and optional balsamic vinegar to the caramelized onions to deepen the flavor. Stir well to combine.
- Toss pasta with onions: Reduce heat to low, add the cooked pasta to the pan with the onions, and toss thoroughly to coat the noodles.
- Add pasta water and cheese: Stir in the reserved pasta water and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes glossy and clings nicely to the noodles.
- Finish with chilli oil: Drizzle the chilli oil over the pasta and toss again to distribute the heat evenly.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, topped with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
- For a milder flavor, reduce the amount of chilli oil or serve it on the side.
- You can substitute red pepper flakes for chilli oil if you prefer a different type of heat.
- Caramelizing the onions slowly is key to developing a deep, sweet flavor, so avoid rushing this step.
