Simple Caramelized Onion Pasta Recipe

This Caramelized Onion Pasta will be your new favorite pasta dish! It's delicious and full of flavor. It's bursting with umami flavor. You only need a few ingredients like sweet caramelized onions and a little butter to make this easy pasta dish. 

This easy pasta recipe is a great weeknight meal or amazing for a dinner party with friends. 

If you like simple caramelized onion pasta recipes like this, you will love these Asian Garlic Noodles, Classic Beef Ragu, Spicy Carbonara, and my Spicy Miso Noodles. 

Ingredients for Caramelized Onion Pasta

• Spaghetti pasta
• Shallots
• Yellow onions
• Garlic cloves
• Unsalted butter
• Extra-virgin Olive oil
• Soy sauce
• Chili crisp
• Salt and black pepper
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh parsley for garnish

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make Caramelized Onion Pasta

This pasta recipe is so easy. The hardest part is waiting for the onion to caramelized.

Caramelized the onion, shallots, and garlic. Add a little bit of water to speed up the process.

Add the pasta, pasta water, and chili crisp.

• Cook spaghetti pasta in a large pot of water according to package instructions until al dente. Set the al dente spaghetti aside and reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
  
• While the pasta is cooking, prepare the caramelized onions. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
  
• Add the thinly sliced shallots to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until they become golden brown and caramelized, about 15-20 minutes. Scrape the bottom of the pan. 
  
• Add 3 tablespoon of water to speed up the caramelization process. 
  
• Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the caramelized shallots. Give a good stir for a couple minutes until the garlic is fragrant. Cook until the onion is a deep golden brown color. 
  
• Stir in 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste. 
  
• Transfer the pasta directly to the skillet with the caramelized onion mixture. Add the reserved starchy pasta water and the remaining tablespoon of butter. 
  
• Toss everything together until the pasta is well combined.
  
• In a separate small skillet, melt ¼ cup of butter for the breadcrumb topping. Add the panko breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. 
  
• Cook, stirring frequently, until the breadcrumbs are golden and toasted, about 3-4 minutes.
  
• Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and a drizzle of chili crisp for extra flavor and heat.

Substitutions

Pasta: You can substitute spaghetti pasta with any other type of pasta shape you have on hand, such as penne, fusilli, fettuccine, or linguine.

Onion and Shallots: Replace with finely chopped leeks or red onions for a similar flavor profile.

Garlic: Use garlic powder or garlic paste as a substitute for minced garlic. You can also use finely chopped green onions or chives for a milder garlic flavor.

Butter: Substitute butter with margarine, ghee, or a plant-based butter alternative.

Extra-virgin Olive oil: Replace olive oil with any other cooking oil you have available, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or coconut oil.

Soy sauce: Substitute soy sauce with tamari, coconut aminos, or Worcestershire sauce for a similar salty flavor.

Salt and black pepper: These are essential for seasoning, but you can adjust the amount according to your taste preferences. Alternatively, you can use seasoning blends like Italian seasoning or Cajun seasoning for added flavor.

Panko breadcrumbs: Substitute panko breadcrumbs with regular breadcrumbs or crushed crackers for a similar crunchy texture.

Smoked paprika: If you don't have smoked paprika, you can use regular paprika or chili powder for a hint of smokiness.

Other ingredients that would elevate this dish are white wine, balsamic vinegar, balsamic glaze, tomato paste, fresh thyme and parmesan cheese. 

Fresh parsley for a little freshness: Substitute fresh parsley with cilantro, basil, or chives for a similar fresh herb garnish. Alternatively, you can omit the garnish if you don't have any fresh herbs available.

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Tongs

How to store and reheat Caramelized Onion Pasta

• Store leftover caramelized onion pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• To reheat, microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, reheat in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out.

Caramelized Onion Pasta - FAQs

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Carmen Spillette

Simple Caramelized Onion Pasta Recipe

5 from 3 votes

This Caramelized Onion Pasta will be your new favorite pasta dish! It's delicious and full of flavor. It's bursting with umami flavor. You only need a few ingredients like sweet caramelized onions and a little butter to make this easy pasta dish.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course: Saute

Cuisine: Saute

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 8 ounces of spaghetti pasta
• 2 shallots thinly sliced
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 3 cloves of garlic minced
• 3 tablespoon of butter
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste2 tablespoon of chili crisp

Breadcrumb Topping:

• 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup of salted butter
• ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika
• Pinch of salt and pepper
•  

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley choppedChili crisp

Get ingredients with

Get Recipe Ingredients

Equipment

• cutting board
• knife
• large skillet

Method

 

1. Cook spaghetti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the caramelized onions. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add the thinly sliced shallots and onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until they become golden brown and caramelized, about 15-20 minutes. 
4. Add 3 tablespoon of water to speed up the caramelization process. 
5. Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the caramelized shallots. Sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
6. Stir in 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Transfer the pasta directly to the skillet with the caramelized onion mixture. Add the reserved pasta water and the remaining tablespoon of butter. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated and heated through.
8. In a separate small pan, melt ¼ cup of butter for the breadcrumb topping. Add the panko breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the breadcrumbs are golden and toasted, about 3-4 minutes.
9.  
10. Garnish with the breadcrumb topping, chopped fresh parsley and a drizzle of chili crisp for extra flavor and heat.

Notes

• Use reserved pasta water to make the pasta saucier.
• Add a little water to speed up the caramelization process for the onions. 
• The bread crumb topping is optional but highly recommended. It gives the dish texture and depth. 

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Food safety

• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.