Caramelized Onion Pasta with Chilli Oil Recipe
A delicious and flavorful Caramelized Onion Pasta tossed with a spicy homemade chilli oil, perfect for a comforting yet elegant meal. The slow-cooked onions provide a rich, sweet base complemented by the aromatic chilli oil that adds a gentle heat to the dish. Easy to prepare and versatile with your favorite pasta, this recipe is a great way to elevate simple ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz (340g) pasta of your choice (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne works well)
- Salt (for boiling pasta water)
Caramelized Onions
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to help caramelize)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Chilli Oil
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chili flakes (adjust based on preferred spice level)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Extra chili oil
Instructions
- Cook the Onions: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally to ensure the onions cook evenly.
- Caramelize the Onions: Sprinkle sugar over the onions if using to help with caramelization. Continue cooking the onions slowly for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn a deep golden-brown color and develop a sweet, rich flavor. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Make the Chilli Oil: In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil over low to medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chili flakes, stirring occasionally. Allow the garlic to infuse into the oil for 1-2 minutes carefully, so it does not burn.
- Finish the Chilli Oil: Add smoked paprika and salt to the oil mixture, stir to combine, then remove the saucepan from heat and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water.
- Toss Pasta with Onions: Return to the large skillet used for the onions. Add the cooked pasta and toss it together with the caramelized onions. If needed, add a little reserved pasta water to help the mixture combine and coat the pasta evenly.
- Add Chilli Oil: Pour the prepared chilli oil over the pasta and toss well to coat all the pasta evenly with the flavorful oil.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the pasta and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Drizzle extra chili oil for more spice and serve immediately.
Notes
- Sugar in caramelized onions is optional but helps deepen the sweetness and color.
- Adjust chili flakes to control the spiciness of the chilli oil.
- Reserved pasta water can be added gradually to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
- Use fresh Parmesan to garnish for extra richness.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Keywords: Caramelized onion pasta, chilli oil pasta, spicy pasta, vegetarian pasta, easy dinner recipe, Italian pasta recipe
