Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions Pasta Recipe
This Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions Pasta recipe transforms humble onions into a rich, deeply flavored sauce with minimal hands-on time. Slow-cooked to a sweet, golden perfection, the onions develop an irresistible taste enhanced by garlic, herbs, and a splash of white wine. Tossed with your favorite pasta and finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, this comforting dish is perfect for an easy weekday dinner or a cozy gathering.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Caramelized Onions
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or vegetable broth
Pasta and Garnish
- 1 pound of your favorite pasta (such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Onions: Begin by thinly slicing your onions. This might take a little time, but the effort is well worth it for even caramelization.
- Start Slow Cooking: Add the sliced onions to your slow cooker, then pour in the olive oil or butter, sprinkle the salt, and add the optional sugar if you want extra sweetness. Stir to combine everything evenly.
- Cook Onions Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours, stirring occasionally. The onions should become deeply golden and develop rich caramelization.
- Flavor Infusion: About 30 minutes before the onions finish cooking, add minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and the white wine or vegetable broth. Stir well and continue cooking to let the mixture become aromatic and harmonized.
- Cook the Pasta: While the onions caramelize, cook your chosen pasta according to the package instructions. Remember to reserve one cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Combine Pasta and Onion Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta with the caramelized onions mixture, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a silky, cohesive sauce that clings to the noodles.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, then season with additional salt and pepper to your liking.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish by garnishing with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately to enjoy the full depth of flavor.
Notes
- Using sugar during caramelization is optional but helps enhance the natural sweetness of the onions.
- You can substitute white wine with vegetable broth to keep the recipe alcohol-free.
- For a richer flavor, use unsalted butter instead of olive oil.
- Make sure to stir occasionally during caramelization to prevent the onions from sticking or burning.
- If you prefer vegan, substitute Parmesan with a vegan cheese alternative or nutritional yeast.
Keywords: slow cooker caramelized onions pasta, caramelized onion pasta, slow cooker pasta recipe, comfort pasta dish, Italian slow cooker recipe
