Caramelized Onion Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes and Cream Recipe

Introduction

This caramelized onion pasta is a rich, comforting dish that brings out the sweet depth of slowly cooked onions combined with creamy sauce and a touch of heat from chili crisp. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it’s easy to make yet delivers impressive flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 large onions
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup chopped sundried tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp chili crisp or chili crunch
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 lb linguine or buccatini, cooked al dente
• Fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut the onions in half and remove the peel. Thinly slice all the onions lengthwise and transfer them to a large pot or wide sauté pan. Pour in the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. Step 2: Place the pan over medium heat until the onions just start to sizzle. Then reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring every 5-7 minutes, for about 45 minutes or until the onions are deeply caramelized and reduced to about 1 ½ cups.
3. Step 3: Increase the heat to medium. Add the chopped sundried tomatoes, chili crisp, and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, then stir in the parmesan cheese and reduce the heat back to medium-low.
4. Step 4: Cook the cream sauce gently for 3-4 minutes. Add the cooked pasta and toss well to combine. Let it cook for an additional minute in the sauce.
5. Step 5: Serve the pasta topped with extra parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of red and yellow onions for a more complex sweetness in the caramelized base.
• Substitute chili crisp with red pepper flakes if you prefer less oil and more heat.
• For a dairy-free option, swap heavy cream for coconut cream and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
• Add toasted pine nuts or walnuts for extra texture and flavor.

Storage

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce if needed. Avoid microwaving to maintain the sauce’s creamy texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I caramelize the onions faster?

Caramelizing onions is a slow process that develops their rich sweetness. Cooking them on higher heat may burn rather than caramelize, so it’s best to be patient and cook them slowly for the best flavor.

What pasta type works best for this recipe?

Linguine or buccatini are ideal as their shape holds the sauce well, but you can also use spaghetti, fettuccine, or any long pasta you prefer.

Caramelized Onion Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes and Cream Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 118 reviews

This Caramelized Onion Pasta features deeply caramelized onions cooked slowly in olive oil, combined with sundried tomatoes and a spicy chili crisp for an added kick. The creamy sauce is enriched with heavy cream and parmesan cheese, tossed with al dente linguine or buccatini, and finished with fresh parsley for a deliciously rich and comforting Italian-inspired meal.

• Author: Yana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 65 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Onion Mixture

• 4 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced lengthwise
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce

• ¼ cup chopped sundried tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp chili crisp or chili crunch
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese

Pasta

• 1 lb linguine or buccatini, cooked al dente
• Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare and Slice Onions: Cut the onions in half and remove the peel, then thinly slice all the onions lengthwise. Transfer the sliced onions to a large pot or wide sauté pan. Pour in the ⅓ cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Caramelize Onions: Place the pan over medium heat until the onions just start to sizzle. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often every 5-7 minutes, for about 45 minutes or until the onions become deeply caramelized and reduced to about 1 ½ cups in volume.
3. Add Sundried Tomatoes, Chili Crisp, and Cream: Increase the heat to medium, then add the chopped sundried tomatoes, chili crisp, and heavy cream to the caramelized onions. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Incorporate Parmesan Cheese: Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and reduce the heat back to medium-low. Cook the cream sauce gently for about 3-4 minutes to meld the flavors.
5. Toss with Pasta and Finish: Add the cooked linguine or buccatini to the sauce and toss thoroughly to combine. Allow the pasta to cook in the sauce for 1 more minute. Serve immediately with extra parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for garnish.

Notes

• Use sweet onions like Vidalia or yellow onions for the best caramelization and flavor.
• Be patient when caramelizing the onions – slow cooking at a low temperature ensures rich, sweet flavor development.
• Chili crisp adds a spicy and textured element, but you can adjust the amount based on your heat preference.
• Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor.
• Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.

Keywords: Caramelized onion pasta, creamy pasta, sundried tomato pasta, chili crisp pasta, Italian pasta recipe, linguine recipe, buccatini recipe