Caramelized Onion Pasta with Chilli Oil Recipe
Introduction
This Caramelized Onion Pasta with Chilli Oil is a simple yet flavorful dish that combines sweet, slow-cooked onions with a spicy, aromatic chilli oil. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it offers a comforting and elegant twist on classic pasta.
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340g) pasta of your choice (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
- Salt (for boiling pasta water)
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced (yellow or sweet onions)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup olive oil (for chilli oil)
- 1 tablespoon chili flakes
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (for chilli oil)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional for garnish)
- Extra chilli oil (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes until deep golden brown and jam-like. Reduce heat if onions brown too quickly.
- Step 2: About halfway through, add the optional sugar to speed caramelization. Stir every 5-7 minutes to prevent sticking. When onions are sweet, deeply golden, and soft, season with salt and pepper.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, warm olive oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding burning. Remove from heat and stir in chili flakes, smoked paprika, and salt. Let the oil infuse as it cools.
- Step 4: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente following package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Step 5: Add drained pasta to the skillet with caramelized onions. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water gradually to create a silky sauce that coats the pasta.
- Step 6: Drizzle half of the chilli oil over the pasta and onions. Toss to evenly distribute. The heat will release flavors and create an aromatic steam.
- Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a balance between sweet onions and spicy oil.
- Step 8: Serve immediately garnished with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan if desired. Offer extra chilli oil on the side for added heat.
Tips & Variations
- For richer flavor, use a mix of butter and olive oil for caramelizing onions.
- Adjust chili flakes in the oil to suit your preferred spice level.
- Try adding toasted pine nuts or walnuts for extra texture.
- Swap parsley for fresh basil or oregano for a different herb note.
Storage
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water or olive oil to restore creaminess. Avoid microwave reheating to preserve texture and flavor.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of onions for caramelizing?
Yes, yellow or sweet onions work best for caramelizing due to their natural sugars, but red onions can also be used for a slightly different flavor.
Is the chilli oil spicy?
The chilli oil has a moderate heat level but can be adjusted by adding more or less chili flakes according to your taste.
PrintCaramelized Onion Pasta with Chilli Oil Recipe
A flavorful and comforting Caramelized Onion Pasta with Chili Oil that combines slow-cooked sweet onions and a spicy, aromatic chili oil. This dish features perfectly caramelized onions tossed with pasta and infused with a vibrant chili oil, garnished with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese for an irresistible meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz (340g) pasta of your choice – spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne works well
- Salt – for boiling pasta water, use generous amounts for properly seasoned pasta
For the Caramelized Onions:
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced – yellow or sweet onions work best for caramelizing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil – extra virgin preferred for best flavor
- 1 tablespoon butter – adds richness and helps with browning
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional) – helps speed up caramelization process
- Salt and pepper, to taste – season throughout cooking process
For the Chilli Oil:
- 1/4 cup olive oil – use good quality olive oil as it’s a key flavor component
- 1 tablespoon chili flakes – adjust based on preferred spice level
- 1 garlic clove, minced – fresh garlic is essential for best flavor
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional) – adds depth and smoky complexity
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – enhances all the flavors in the oil
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional) – adds color and fresh herb notes
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional) – use freshly grated for best results
- Extra chili oil (optional) – for those who want an extra kick
Instructions
- Start the Caramelized Onions: Begin by heating the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. The key to perfect caramelization is patience – cook the onions slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 25-30 minutes until they turn deep golden brown and develop a jam-like consistency. If they start browning too quickly, reduce the heat.
- Perfect the Onion Caramelization: About halfway through cooking the onions, add the optional teaspoon of sugar to help speed up the caramelization process. Continue cooking, stirring every 5-7 minutes to prevent sticking. The onions are ready when they’re deeply golden, sweet, and almost melting in texture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the Chilli Oil: While the onions are caramelizing, make your chilli oil. In a small saucepan, gently heat the olive oil over low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the chili flakes, smoked paprika (if using), and salt. Set aside to infuse – the oil will continue developing flavor as it cools.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining – this starchy water will help bind everything together beautifully.
- Combine Everything: Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the caramelized onions. Toss gently to coat, adding pasta water a little at a time until you achieve a silky consistency that coats each strand of pasta without being soupy.
- Add the Chilli Oil: Drizzle about half of the prepared chilli oil over the pasta and onions, tossing to distribute evenly. The heat from the pasta will help release the flavors in the oil and create an aromatic steam that signals your Ultimate Caramelized Onion Pasta with Chilli Oil is nearly ready.
- Final Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. The dish should have a perfect balance of sweet caramelized onions and spicy chilli oil, with each element complementing the other.
- Serve Immediately: Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve with extra chilli oil on the side for those who want to customize their heat level.
Notes
- Be patient while caramelizing the onions; slow cooking is key to developing deep sweetness and color.
- Use quality olive oil for both caramelizing onions and making the chilli oil for richest flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to help emulsify the sauce and create a silky texture.
- Adjust chili flakes in the chilli oil according to your preferred spice tolerance.
- Parmesan and parsley garnish add complimentary flavor and freshness but are optional.
- This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the contrast of warm pasta and vibrant chili oil.
Keywords: caramelized onion pasta, chilli oil pasta, spicy pasta, Italian pasta recipe, easy pasta dishes
