Description
Rich, golden caramelized onion pasta with chilli oil delivers a symphony of bold Mediterranean flavors. Silky noodles draped in sweet onion sauce and spicy oil promise a luxurious dining experience that will transport you straight to an Italian kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 300 grams (10.5 ounces) pasta of your choice
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
- 3 tablespoons chili oil
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente, then drain while preserving 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid.
- Place a spacious skillet over medium-low heat, allowing olive oil to warm gently before introducing thinly sliced onions.
- Slowly caramelize onions for 15-20 minutes, stirring periodically to ensure even browning and prevent burning.
- Incorporate brown sugar and balsamic vinegar, allowing the mixture to develop rich, complex flavors for an additional 3-5 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic and chili flakes, sautéing briefly to release their aromatic essence and enhance the sauce’s depth.
- Drizzle chili oil into the caramelized onion mixture, then splash in reserved pasta water to create a silky, cohesive sauce.
- Fold cooked pasta into the sauce, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated with the caramelized onion mixture.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to balance the sweet and spicy notes.
- Transfer to serving plates, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley and optional grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of indulgence.
Notes
- Slice onions uniformly to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning during cooking.
- Use low-medium heat when caramelizing onions to develop deep, rich flavors without scorching.
- Adjust chili oil quantity based on personal spice tolerance for a customized heat level.
- Consider using vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version of the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 5mg