Description
This Caramelized Onion Pasta with Chilli Oil is a rich and comforting pasta dish made from silky, slow-cooked onions and a bold, garlicky chilli oil. It’s full of layered flavor—sweet, savory, spicy—and takes simple ingredients to next-level deliciousness. Perfect for cozy nights or easy entertaining.
Ingredients
3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
0.5 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
10 ounces pasta (bucatini, spaghetti, or similar)
0.25 cup pasta water (reserved)
0.5 cup grated parmesan
2 teaspoons lemon juice (optional)
0.5 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon paprika
Pinch salt
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil and butter in a wide pan over medium-low. Add sliced onions and salt, then cook slowly, stirring often, for 30–40 minutes until deep golden brown. Add balsamic vinegar at the end to deglaze.
2. Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain.
3. In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over low. Add garlic and let it sizzle until golden. Stir in red pepper flakes, paprika, and a pinch of salt. Remove from heat.
4. Toss caramelized onions with cooked pasta, pasta water, and parmesan until creamy. Add lemon juice if using.
5. Drizzle chilli oil over the pasta and gently mix. Serve with extra parmesan and black pepper.
Notes
Use low heat for onions to avoid burning—slow cooking builds flavor.
Make chilli oil ahead to save time and infuse flavor more deeply.
Add a splash of broth when reheating leftovers to refresh the texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Caramelized Onion Pasta, Chilli Oil Pasta, Vegetarian Pasta