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My Caramelized Onion Pasta recipe is an easy dish to whip together during the week that requires few ingredients. Jammy golden onions, brandy, balsamic vinegar and cream meld together to make this simple and comforting pasta.
By now, you know I love a simple pasta dinner. Whether it’s my Pasta Alla Vodka, Spicy Shrimp Scampi, or Spaghetti Aglio Olio E Peperoncino, I am always looking for new ways to make easy pasta dishes that deliver big flavour.
If you liked my French Onion Dip, you’ll be a fan of this recipe too. The brandy enhances the flavours of the caramelized onions, and creates a warm and savoury richness to the pasta.
Table of Contents
😍 Why You’ll Love Caramelized Onion Pasta
- Comforting: the warm sweet and savoury flavours make this pasta very unique.
- Easy to prepare: the majority of time will be spent allowing the onions to caramelize, requiring very little effort.
- Flavour bomb: the combination of caramelized onions, brandy and balsamic vinegar creates the most delicious flavour.
🗒 Ingredients You’ll Need To Make Caramelized Onion Pasta Recipe
Mafalda: the ruffled edges and small shape are perfect for holding the creamy sauce.
Olive oil & butter: provides the base to sauté the onions.
Yellow onions: have a naturally high sugar content, which caramelize into beautiful jammy golden onions.
Garlic: balances the sweetness of the caramelized onions.
Heavy cream: 33% is used to make a creamy smooth sauce.
Parmesan: helps to thicken the sauce and provides a salty, slightly nutty flavour.
Brandy: deglazes the pan and adds a warm flavour to the pasta.
Balsamic vinegar: also deglazes the pan and adds a subtle sweetness to the pasta.
Salt: used to add flavour.
Cracked black pepper: adds a touch of spice.
Italian seasoning blend: adds a combination of Italian herbs to increase the flavour.
Garlic powder: helps to boost the garlic flavour.
Paprika: adds a subtle smokiness.
Nutmeg: adds a subtle nuttiness.
🧅 How To Make Caramelized Onion Pasta
- Prepare the onions: slice and sauté until jammy and golden in colour.
- Cook the pasta: once the onions are caramelized, cook the pasta according to package instructions.
- Make the sauce: combine the spices, brandy, balsamic vinegar, and cream to make a velvety sauce.
- Add the pasta: allow the pasta to meld together with the sauce and serve right away.
👉🏻 Tips to elevate your pasta
- Reserve pasta water: helps to thin out the sauce and adds flavour.
- Slice the onions the same size: this will ensure they cook evenly.
🗒️ Variations & Substitutions
- Kick up the heat: by finishing with your favourite chili oil.
- Use another pasta: opt for your favourite pasta in this recipe such as, penne, rigatoni or fusilli.
🤝 Pairs Well With
- Best Chicken Marinade
- Chicken Cutlets
- Simple House Salad
- The Best Caesar Salad You’ll Ever Have
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
🤔 FAQ’s
Firstly, it’s important to remember that caramelizing onions is a slow process. I say about 30-40 minutes.
Certainly. For instance, sweet onions, red onions or shallots will all work.
Yes, you can substitute the brandy. Specifically a dry cherry or white wine would be great alternatives. Furthermore, a splash of apple cider vinegar would also work.
Generally, it’s best to serve this pasta fresh. Nevertheless, you can prepare the caramelized onions ahead of time. Afterwards, store them in the fridge until you are ready to prepare the pasta. However, this may alter the flavours slightly.
While I love mafalda for this recipe, it’s not necessary. Generally I recommend small shaped pastas. For example, penne or rigatoni are great options.
🍴 Leftovers? Lucky you.
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat simply microwave for 30-45 seconds. Alternatively, add to a small saucepan with a splash of cream and cook on medium heat until warm.
👩🏻🍳 Hungry For More?
Enjoyed this recipe? Then you’ll love these other recipes too:
💌 Let’s Stay Connected
Keep in touch with me on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest! If you do make this recipe (or any recipe of mine) don’t forget to leave a review.
Caramelized Onion Pasta
Equipment
- 1 large pan
Ingredients
- 350 grams mafalda, or pasta of choice
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 large yellow onions, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 cup heavy cream, 33%
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 3 tbsp brandy, I use cognac
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning blend
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- fresh basil, to garnish
Instructions
- Begin by peeling and slicing your onions thin.
- To a large pan add the butter and olive oil and set to low/medium heat.
- Add the sliced onions and begin to cook, stirring occasionally for about 30 minutes or until the onions have turned into a deep golden brown colour.If the onions begin to stick to the bottom of the pan, you can add a splash of water.
- Once the onions are golden in colour, cook the pasta according to package instructions.
- Next, add the garlic and all seasonings to the onions and allow to cook for 1 minute, just until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Deglaze the pan with the brandy and balsamic vinegar and allow to lightly simmer until the brandy has reduced by half. About 2 minutes.
- Add the heavy cream and bring to a light simmer and allow the sauce to slightly thicken.
- Next, add the parmesan cheese and gently mix into the sauce until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta along with the reserved pasta water and mix to combine.Add more pasta water if you need.
- Top with fresh basil and serve right away.
Notes
- Kick up the heat: by finishing with your favourite chili oil.
- Use another pasta: opt for your favourite pasta in this recipe such as, penne, rigatoni or fusilli.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
