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The Viral Creamy Caramelized Onion Pasta: Your New Weeknight Headline

A close-up shot of rich, creamy caramelized onion pasta tossed with spaghetti and garnished with fresh parsley.
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This recipe delivers the rich, sweet flavor of slow-cooked onions in a velvety, comforting sauce. It is an easy, one-pot pasta dinner that feels gourmet but is ready fast enough for any busy weeknight.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (spaghetti or penne recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine or vegetable broth
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or cashew cream for dairy-free)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (omit for vegan)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly, stirring every 5 to 7 minutes, for 30 to 40 minutes until the onions are deep golden brown and sweet. This slow cooking builds the ultimate onion pasta flavor.
  2. Add the minced garlic and dried thyme to the onions. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the white wine or broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it reduce by half, about 3 minutes.
  4. Add the 4 cups of vegetable broth to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  5. Add the dry pasta directly to the simmering broth. Cook according to package directions, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, creating a starchy sauce base.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese (if using) until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
  7. Season with black pepper and adjust salt as needed.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley. Turn up the music and enjoy your easy pasta dinner!

Notes

  • For a spicy kick, stir in 1 teaspoon of chili oil with the cream in the final step.
  • If you are making the vegan version, use cashew cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a cheesy flavor.
  • To speed up the onion caramelization slightly, add a teaspoon of sugar during the first 10 minutes of cooking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hungryhearld.com/caramelized-onion-pasta-recipe-easy-dinner/