Description
This Caramel Onion Pasta is a delightful, savory dish featuring sweet, caramelized onions combined with a rich balsamic cream sauce. The pasta is tossed in a luscious blend of butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, creating a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Caramelized Onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 medium onions
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 8 ounces pasta
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the onions.
- Slice the onions: Peel and thinly slice the onions into rings or half-rings, ensuring even cooking and caramelization.
- Cook onions initially: Add the sliced onions to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Add sugar: Sprinkle the sugar over the onions and stir well to combine, aiding in the caramelization process.
- Caramelize the onions: Continue cooking the onions with occasional stirring for about 10 minutes until they turn a deep golden brown and develop rich sweetness.
- Deglaze with balsamic vinegar: Pour the balsamic vinegar into the skillet and stir, scraping up browned bits from the skillet’s bottom to enhance flavor.
- Season and simmer: Season the onions with salt and black pepper, then let the mixture simmer for 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Boil pasta water: While onions cook, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil to cook the pasta.
- Cook pasta: Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain pasta: Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water for sauce adjustment if needed.
- Add butter to onions: Add butter to the skillet with caramelized onions and stir until melted and fully combined with the balsamic mixture.
- Incorporate heavy cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir the sauce, allowing it to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it evenly with the caramelized onion sauce.
- Adjust sauce consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time to thin it to the desired consistency.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and blends smoothly into the sauce.
- Final seasoning: Taste the pasta and adjust salt and pepper seasoning as needed for the perfect balance of flavors.
- Serve immediately: Serve the pasta hot, optionally garnished with additional Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Notes
- Use medium heat to avoid burning the onions while caramelizing.
- Reserve pasta water carefully; it helps adjust sauce consistency and adds flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy alternative.
- Freshly grated Parmesan gives better texture and flavor compared to pre-grated cheese.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture of the sauce and pasta.
