Caramelized Onion Pasta with Chili Oil Recipe
This Caramelized Onion Pasta with Chili Oil is a simple yet flavorful dish that combines the sweet richness of slow-cooked onions with the spicy heat of chili oil, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels indulgent and comforting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz (225g) dried pasta (such as spaghetti or linguine)
Onions
- 3 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, to enhance caramelization)
Chili Oil
- 3 tbsp chili oil
Cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare and cook the onions: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions, salt, and sugar if using. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 30-40 minutes until the onions are deeply golden and caramelized. Be careful not to burn them; adjust heat as necessary.
- Cook the pasta: While the onions are caramelizing, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Toss pasta with onions and chili oil: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with caramelized onions. Pour in the chili oil and toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to help coat the pasta evenly.
- Finish with Parmesan: Remove from heat and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Toss briefly to combine and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a heavy-bottomed pan for more even onion caramelization.
- Adjust the amount of chili oil to taste depending on your spice preference.
- For a vegan option, omit Parmesan or use a vegan cheese alternative.
- Reserve pasta water to help create a silky sauce with the onions and oil.
Keywords: Caramelized onion pasta, chili oil pasta, easy pasta recipe, spicy pasta, Italian pasta dish
