Description
Caramelized Onion Pasta with Chilli Oil is a rich, savory pasta dish made with sweet, golden onions slowly cooked to perfection and finished with a spicy drizzle of chilli oil. It’s comforting, minimal, and packed with bold, layered flavors that elevate simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine)
- 2 large yellow or sweet onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar or white wine (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Chilli oil (store-bought or homemade), to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
- Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme (optional, for garnish)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt.
- Cook onions slowly, stirring occasionally, for 25–30 minutes until soft, golden, and caramelized.
- Toward the end of cooking, add balsamic vinegar or white wine to deglaze the pan and enhance flavor (optional).
- Meanwhile, boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
- Add minced garlic to the caramelized onions and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Toss the drained pasta with the onion mixture in the skillet. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and help it coat the pasta.
- Plate the pasta and drizzle with chilli oil to taste.
- Top with grated Parmesan, fresh herbs, and red pepper flakes if using. Serve warm.
Notes
- Cook onions low and slow for best caramelization—don’t rush the process.
- Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted tomatoes for extra texture and nutrition.
- A poached egg or crispy chickpeas make great protein additions.
- For dairy-free, skip the Parmesan and focus on bold chilli oil and herbs.
- Caramelized onions can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
