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A close-up image of a skillet filled with bowtie pasta tossed in a creamy, caramelized onion sauce, garnished with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
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4.80 from 5 votes

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Caramelized Onion Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish featuring sweet, golden caramelized onions tossed with creamy Parmesan sauce and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s comforting, delicious, and easy to make, making it perfect for any cozy dinner.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: caramelized onion pasta, pasta recipe
Servings: 4
Calories: 774kcal

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces bowtie pasta or any other small pasta
  • 2 large onions thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup vegetable broth
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until melted. Add the sliced onions and sprinkle with sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 25-30 minutes, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized. If the onions start to stick, add a splash of water or broth to deglaze the pan.
    process shots showing how to make caramelized onion pasta.
  • While the onions are caramelizing, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
    cooking bowtie pasta.
  • Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the caramelized onions and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the heavy cream and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
    process shots showing how to make caramelized onion pasta.
  • Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and dried thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    process shots showing how to make caramelized onion pasta.
  • Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat the noodles evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
    process shots showing how to make caramelized onion pasta.
  • Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Video

Notes

  1. Caramelize the onions slowly over medium heat. This process takes time but is worth it.
  2. Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency as needed.
  3. Freshly grate the Parmesan for a smoother, creamier sauce.
  4. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days, and reheat with a splash of cream or broth to keep the sauce creamy.
  5. Feel free to swap in your favorite pasta shape or add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 774kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 543mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1231IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 381mg | Iron: 2mg
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