Caramelized Onion Pasta Chili Oil (Printable Format)

Sweet onions and spicy chili oil blend with pasta, parmesan, and herbs for a bold, comforting dish.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Pasta Base

01 - 12 ounces dried pasta, such as spaghetti, penne, or linguine
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - Salt, to taste
06 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Chili Oil

07 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon red chili flakes
09 - 1 teaspoon paprika
10 - 1 small garlic clove, thinly sliced
11 - 1 teaspoon soy sauce

→ Garnish

12 - Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
13 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
14 - Additional red chili flakes, optional

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Thinly slice the yellow onion. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt, then cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are deeply golden and caramelized, about 25–30 minutes. Add the minced garlic for the final 5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant. Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside.
02 - In a small saucepan, warm 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until aromatic but not browned. Stir in red chili flakes and paprika, cook for 2–3 minutes to infuse the oil. Add soy sauce, simmer an additional 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
04 - Return the drained pasta to the pot or a large mixing bowl. Add the caramelized onions and toss until well combined. Drizzle the prepared chili oil over the pasta, tossing thoroughly. Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky sauce consistency.
05 - Serve pasta hot, sprinkled generously with grated Parmesan cheese. Top with chopped basil or parsley and extra chili flakes to taste.

# Supplementary Details:

01 - Take your time to caramelize the onions for optimal sweetness and depth. Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency for ideal texture.

Go Back