Description
Looking for a quick dinner idea that feels special but uses simple pantry ingredients? This Caramelized Onion Pasta with Chilli Oil is a must-try! Sweet, deeply caramelized onions coat every strand of pasta, while a drizzle of chilli oil brings just the right amount of heat. This easy recipe is perfect for weeknight meals, lazy Sunday lunches, or when you want to impress without stress. Delicious as a vegetarian main, this dish is great for easy dinners, cozy food ideas, and is always a winner when you need new healthy-ish dinner ideas.
Ingredients
400g spaghetti or bucatini
3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons chilli flakes or 2 tablespoons chilli oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
30g parmesan or pecorino cheese, grated (optional)
Instructions
1. Slice the onions thinly. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook, stirring often, for 30-40 minutes until deep golden and caramelized.
2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
3. Add minced garlic to the caramelized onions. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
4. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce.
5. Stir in the chilli oil or chilli flakes, tossing well so the heat is evenly distributed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Divide the pasta among bowls. Top with more caramelized onions, fresh parsley, and a sprinkle of parmesan or pecorino if using. Serve immediately.
Notes
Take your time caramelizing the onions for the best flavor—don’t rush this step!
Reserve enough pasta water to help create a luscious, glossy sauce.
You can adjust the chilli oil to your spice preference—add a little, taste, then add more if you want extra heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 78g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: quick dinner, easy recipe, vegetarian pasta, caramelized onions, pasta with chilli oil, comfort food, dinner ideas, food ideas