Caramelized Onion Pasta Chili Oil (Printable View)

Sweet caramelized onions and spicy chili oil create a bold, comforting pasta dish ready in 45 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, penne, or linguine)
02 - Salt, for pasta water

→ Caramelized Onions

03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Chili Oil

07 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon red chili flakes
09 - 1 teaspoon paprika, preferably smoked
10 - 1 small garlic clove, thinly sliced
11 - 1 teaspoon soy sauce

→ Garnishing

12 - Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
13 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
14 - Extra chili flakes, optional

# How to Make:

01 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes until deeply golden and caramelized. Add the minced garlic in the last 5 minutes, stirring to avoid burning. Season with black pepper and adjust salt to taste. Set aside.
02 - In a small saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Add chili flakes and paprika; stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until aromatic. Stir in soy sauce and let simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
04 - Toss the hot pasta with the caramelized onions in the skillet. Drizzle with the chili oil and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to loosen the sauce.
05 - Top with generous Parmesan, chopped herbs, and extra chili flakes if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The onions develop this incredible natural sweetness that balances perfectly with the spicy chili oil
  • Most ingredients are probably already sitting in your pantry right now
  • It hits all the flavor notes sweet, spicy, salty, savory without needing any fancy techniques
02 -
  • Caramelizing onions cannot be rushed low and slow is what develops that deep sweetness
  • The pasta water is essential for creating a silky cohesive sauce that actually sticks to the pasta
  • The chili oil tastes even better if made slightly ahead and left to infuse
03 -
  • Slice your onions as thinly and evenly as possible so they caramelize at the same rate
  • Keep your chili oil in a sealed jar in the fridge it will last for weeks and upgrade everything from eggs to roasted vegetables
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