Yep, this is exactly as it sounds. Fried onion pasta, or caramelized onion pasta, if you will. Onions cooked in olive oil till golden brown, tossed with pasta and served with lots of parmesan cheese. I originally made this as a quick dinner when I was pretty short on time, and completely uninspired. I’ve recently gone down a YouTube rabbit hole of watching videos with titles like What I Eat in Italy, at my Nonna’s, Mom’s, at home, etc. It’s always home cooking, and while the cooking can take hours, nothing is overly fancy or fussy. But, it all looks insanely delicious.
I think the start of me watching these videos was with Rosie Maio, and then I moved onto videos by Rosa D’Aniello and that is where I was introduced to the fried onion pasta. Her grandmother has made it in her videos, on more that one occasion, and the pure joy of watching her grandfather eat it is enough to convince anyone to make it.
The dish is incredibly simple, and a perfect example of what I love about Italian cooking. Minimal ingredients and letting them shine. The onions have texture, they’re sweet and salty, then everything is topped with lots of nutty grated Parmigiano*. It is perfect.
*Side note here. A non-negotiable for me is the cheese. It has to be Parmigiano (The nuttiness is perfect with the sweet onions). And it needs to be grated in a blender, aka Blender Cheese. I cut my block of cheese into small cubes, maybe like 1cm square, and pulse in a blender until the texture is like course sand. Trust me. Do it this way. You’ll never go back
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...the pure joy of watching her grandfather eat it is enough to convince anyone to make it.
Caramelized Onion Pasta Recipe: Sweet, Savory, and Simple Italian Comfort Food
Caramelized Onion Pasta, also known as Fried Onion Pasta or simply Onion Pasta, is a simple and delicious dish that combines the natural sweetness of slow-cooked onions with perfectly al dente pasta. This Italian recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners when you’re looking for something comforting and easy to make. The combination of the fried onions and nutty Parmigiano Reggiano is perfection.
Ingredients for Caramelized Onion Pasta
Here’s a list of the key ingredients for making this delicious caramelized onion pasta:
- Spaghetti or Bucatini – A long, round pasta works best for holding the sauce.
- Sweet onions – Sweet onions caramelize beautifully and provide the perfect balance of flavor.
- Olive oil – Olive oil helps achieve that golden, slightly crispy texture for the onions.
- Parmigiano-Reggiano – Adds a salty, umami-rich layer that pairs wonderfully with the onions. Get the good stuff here.
- Salt – For seasoning the onions and pasta water.
How to Make Caramelized Onion Pasta
Follow these easy steps to bring this fried onion pasta to life:
Caramelize the onions
In a cold pan, add the sliced onions and olive oil. Slowly bring the pan up to medium heat and let the onions cook until they begin to brown around the edges. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. After about 20 minutes, the onions should be golden brown with a hint of texture remaining. Season with salt once they start to color. Remove from heat and set aside.
Cook the pasta
Boil your spaghetti or bucatini in generously salted water until al dente. Make sure to reserve a cup of the starchy pasta cooking water before draining.
Combine pasta and onions
Toss the drained pasta with the caramelized onions in the pan. Add a bit of the reserved pasta water if the mixture looks too dry. The pasta water will help create a light sauce that clings to the noodles.
Serve
Plate the onion pasta and top it with a generous shower of grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Serve immediately and enjoy the rich, savory-sweet flavors.
Some common FAQs About Caramelized Onion Pasta
What type of onions should I use for caramelized onion pasta?
Sweet onions work best in this recipe but if they aren’t available you can certainly use a white or yellow onions.
How long does it take to caramelize onions?
It typically takes around 20-30 minutes to get properly caramelized onions that are deep brown and jammy in texture. For this recipe you want to aim more for 20 minutes or so, you still want the onions to be golden brown and with a little texture left to them. Taste as you go and get them as cooked as you like.
Can I add additional ingredients to onion pasta?
Absolutely! I think the beauty of this recipe is in the minimal ingredients used but you can certainly add in some additional flavors if you like. Garlic, fresh herbs like thyme, or a splash of white wine are all great options. You could even add some crispy pancetta or sausage. Or, even some anchovies to melt into the sauce and then top everything with crispy breadcrumbs. Yum!
What type of pasta works best for this dish?
Spaghetti or bucatini are ideal for this recipe because their long, round shape holds the caramelized onion sauce well. However, you can also use fettuccine or linguine if you prefer.
Fried Onion Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti or bucatini something round and long
- 2 sweet onions sliced
- 1/2 C olive oil
- Parmigiano Reggiano grated
Instructions
- Add onions and olive oil to a cold pan. Heat to medium and let the onions cook till they begin to brown around the edges. Season with salt after they start getting some color. Cook till they are golden brown around the edges and still have a little bit of texture. They shouldn’t be mush. Set aside, off heat, while you get your pasta cooked.
- Boil your pasta in generously salted water. Drain pasta and saving a little cooking liquid. Toss pasta with cooked onions and add in some of the pasta water if things look too dry.
- To serve, pile up your pasta, shower in cheese and eat.
One thought on Caramelized Onion Pasta
Another meal even I can make. Thanks Rachel ‼️