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easy caramelized onion pasta
Carmen Spillette

Simple Caramelized Onion Pasta Recipe

5 from 3 votes
This Caramelized Onion Pasta will be your new favorite pasta dish! It's delicious and full of flavor. It's bursting with umami flavor. You only need a few ingredients like sweet caramelized onions and a little butter to make this easy pasta dish.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course: Saute
Cuisine: Saute
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces of spaghetti pasta
  • 2 shallots thinly sliced
  • 1 medium yellow onion
  • 3 cloves of garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoon of butter
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste2 tablespoon of chili crisp
Breadcrumb Topping:
  • 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup of salted butter
  • ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika
  • Pinch of salt and pepper
  •  
Garnish:
  • Fresh parsley choppedChili crisp

Equipment

Method
 

  1. Cook spaghetti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the caramelized onions. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
  3. Add the thinly sliced shallots and onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until they become golden brown and caramelized, about 15-20 minutes. 
  4. Add 3 tablespoon of water to speed up the caramelization process. 
  5. Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the caramelized shallots. Sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
  6. Stir in 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Transfer the pasta directly to the skillet with the caramelized onion mixture. Add the reserved pasta water and the remaining tablespoon of butter. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated and heated through.
  8. In a separate small pan, melt ¼ cup of butter for the breadcrumb topping. Add the panko breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the breadcrumbs are golden and toasted, about 3-4 minutes.
  9.  
  10. Garnish with the breadcrumb topping, chopped fresh parsley and a drizzle of chili crisp for extra flavor and heat.

Notes

  • Use reserved pasta water to make the pasta saucier.
  • Add a little water to speed up the caramelization process for the onions. 
  • The bread crumb topping is optional but highly recommended. It gives the dish texture and depth. 

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