Description
A rich and flavorful Caramelized Onion Pasta with a spicy kick from chili oil, creamy parmesan sauce, and a touch of sweetness from honey. This comforting dish combines slow-cooked onions, aromatic spices, and a velvety sauce perfect for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
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
- Caramelize the onions: 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.
- Cook the pasta: 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.
- Sauté garlic and build sauce: 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.
- Add flavors: Stir in chili crisp, soy sauce, and honey until well combined.
- Create creamy sauce: 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.
- Melt in cheese: Stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until smooth and melted.
- Toss pasta with sauce: 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.
- Garnish and serve: 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.
