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Creamy Caramelized Onion Pasta with Parmesan

A tall mound of creamy caramelized onion pasta tossed in a rich sauce, topped with crispy onions.
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Make this rich, comforting pasta featuring deeply sweet caramelized onions suspended in a velvety Parmesan cream sauce. This recipe delivers gourmet flavor with home-cook simplicity.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional, for deglazing)
  • 1 pound pasta (such as spaghetti or fettuccine)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Slice the onions thinly. In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium-low heat.
  2. Add the sliced onions, 1 teaspoon of salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir to coat. Cook slowly, stirring every 5 to 10 minutes, for 40 to 50 minutes until the onions are deep golden brown and sweet. Do not rush this step; low and slow develops the flavor.
  3. If the bottom of the pan develops dark bits (fond), pour in the white wine (if using) and scrape the bottom of the pan to release the flavor. Cook until the wine evaporates.
  4. While the onions finish caramelizing, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
  5. Reduce the heat under the onions to low. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  7. Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the onion sauce.
  8. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously until a glossy, creamy sauce coats the pasta. Add more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, if the sauce seems too thick.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For a spicy twist similar to some popular recipes, stir in 1 teaspoon of chili oil with the cream in Step 6.
  • If you are interested in structured cooking methods, look into using a sous-vide precision cooker for other components of your meals.
  • This rich dish pairs well with a crisp white wine, which you can also use for deglazing the pan.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/caramelized-onion-pasta-creamy-parmesan-recipe/