Description
This Caramelized Onion Pasta with Chilli Oil is an incredible, flavorful dish that combines slowly caramelized onions with aromatic chili oil, garlic, and tender spaghetti. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, it offers a delightful balance of sweetness from onions and a spicy kick from red pepper flakes and chili oil. Finished with Parmesan and fresh parsley for an extra touch of richness and freshness, this Italian-inspired vegetarian pasta is both simple and impressive.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti or linguine
Caramelized Onions
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
Flavorings and Garnishes
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili oil (plus extra for drizzling)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti or linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare Caramelized Onions: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and stir occasionally, cooking slowly for 25 to 30 minutes until they turn a deep golden brown and are fully caramelized.
- Season Onions: About halfway through cooking the onions, sprinkle in salt, black pepper, and sugar to enhance the caramelization process and deepen the flavor.
- Add Aromatics and Spice: In the last 2 minutes of cooking the onions, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir continuously until the garlic is fragrant but not burnt.
- Toss Pasta with Onions and Chili Oil: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with caramelized onions. Pour in the chili oil and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything vigorously so the pasta is well coated and glossy, adding more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Drizzle extra chili oil on top if you like additional heat.
Notes
- For a deeper onion flavor, caramelize the onions longer over low heat until a rich brown.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or fresh spinach to incorporate more vegetables.
- To make this recipe vegan, replace butter with extra olive oil and omit Parmesan or use a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
