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Caramelized onion pasta is a deliciously rich and savory dish with deep, sweet flavors. Slowly cooked onions bring out their natural sweetness, creating a perfect base for the sauce. Combined with al dente pasta, garlic, and a hint of butter, this dish offers an irresistible balance of flavors. The caramelized onions add depth, while parmesan cheese enhances the creamy texture and salty bite. Whether served as a main course or side dish, caramelized onion pasta is simple yet packed with flavor, making it a perfect comfort meal.
Important Steps for Perfect Caramelized Onions
- Slice Onions Thinly: – Thin, even slices help onions cook evenly and caramelize properly.
- Use Low Heat: – Cook onions over low heat to prevent burning and achieve deep sweetness.
- Stir Occasionally: – Stir gently to prevent sticking while allowing caramelization to develop. You will want to stir every 5-10 minutes.
- Add Butter or Oil: – Use butter or olive oil to enhance the richness and flavor.
- Cook Slowly: – Caramelizing onions can take over 45 minutes for the best results.
- Deglaze Pan: – Add water or stock to release flavorful browned bits and prevent burning in the pan.
Steps for Cooking Perfect Pasta
- Use Plenty of Water: – Boil pasta in a large pot with enough water to prevent sticking.
- Add Salt to Water: – Salt generously for flavor; pasta should absorb the seasoning while cooking.
- Boil Water First: – Add pasta only when water is at a full rolling boil.
- Stir Occasionally: – Stir to prevent pasta from clumping or sticking to the pot.
- Cook Until Al Dente: – Check pasta a minute before the package’s suggested time to ensure a firm bite.
- Reserve Pasta Water: – Save some starchy water to enhance sauces.
- Drain, Don’t Rinse: – Drain pasta without rinsing to retain starch for sauce binding.
- Toss in Sauce: – Add pasta to sauce while hot, allowing it to absorb flavors.
Caramelized Onion Pasta
Caramelized onion pasta is creamy, sweet, and cheesy. The perfect combination of flavors and is quite simple to put together.
Ingredients
- 250 g fettuccine or choice of pasta
- 3 large yellow onions
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup salted pasta water
- 2 tbsp chili crisp
- ⅔ cup grated parmesan
- 1 handful chopped chives
Instructions
- Thinly slice your onions.3 large yellow onions
- Heat up a pan over med heat.
- Add onions, olive oil, and butter. Continue cooking until caramelized.3 large yellow onions, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp butter
- The onions may take up to an hour to fully caramelize, just make sure to continue stirring every 5-10 minutes so it doesn't burn. IF they happen to start burning the pan too quickly, add a small spoon of water into the pan deglaze.
- Once onions are pretty much fully caramelized, begin cooking your pasta in a pot of salted water.250 g fettuccine or choice of pasta
- Add garlic into the pan with caramelized onions. Cook 2 minutes.3 cloves minced garlic
- Add heavy cream into the pan as well along with the cooked pasta and pasta water. Stir.1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup salted pasta water
- Grate in parmesan, add chili crisp, and chives.2 tbsp chili crisp, ⅔ cup grated parmesan, 1 handful chopped chives
- Mix well to thicken sauce and enjoy!
