Caramelized Onion Chili Oil Pasta Recipe

Ingredients

Pasta

• 8 oz dry thin spaghetti

Caramelized Onions and Sauce

• 1 large white onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 1–2 tablespoons chili crisp (chili oil with crunchy bits), plus more for serving
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• ⅔ cup half and half (coconut milk can be used for dairy free)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, add olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, for about 20 minutes until the onions are soft and lightly caramelized.
2. While the onions cook, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
3. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet with caramelized onions. Stir in the pressed garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Stir in chili crisp, soy sauce, and honey until well combined.
5. Reduce the heat to low and pour in the half and half. Add paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until smooth and melted.
7. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss until fully coated with sauce. Use reserved pasta water gradually if needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
8. Plate the pasta and garnish with extra chili crisp and fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

• Cook onions slowly over medium-low heat to ensure they caramelize without burning.
• Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best texture and flavor in the sauce.
• Add reserved pasta water gradually when mixing pasta and sauce to adjust thickness as needed.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute half and half with coconut milk and omit or replace parmesan with a vegan alternative.
• Adjust chili crisp quantity to control spice level according to personal preference.