Caramelized Onion & Garlic Spaghetti
🟢 Difficulty Level: Easy
⏱️ Total Time: 35–40 minutes
👨🍳 Servings: 2–3
🔥 Calories: ~520 kcal per serving
This Caramelized Onion & Garlic Spaghetti is comfort food at its finest, rich, creamy, and packed with deep, savory flavor. Sweet golden onions meet fragrant garlic, spicy chili crisp, and a velvety cream sauce that hugs every strand of pasta. Whether you use dairy cream or coconut milk, this dish delivers restaurant-level flavor in under 40 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners or a cozy date night in.
🍝 Ingredients
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp chili crisp
- 1 cup cream or coconut milk (room temperature)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (optional)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz (225 g) pasta of your choice
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Seasonings (1 tsp each): paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning
👨🍳 Used equipments
- Large skillet (or sauté pan) :
- Pot for boiling pasta :
- Colander :
- Measuring cups and spoons :
- Cheese grater (optional) :
👩🍳 Step by Step instructions
- Prep: Slice onions thinly, mince garlic, and measure all seasonings. Bring your cream or coconut milk to room temperature.
- Caramelize: In a skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and soft. Add a splash of water if they start sticking.
- Cook pasta: While onions caramelize, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and reserve about ½ cup of pasta water.
- Build the sauce: Once onions are golden, add garlic and seasonings. Stir for 1 minute, then mix in the chili crisp. Pour in the cream (or coconut milk) and simmer until smooth and slightly thickened. Add Parmesan and stir until melted.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Serve: Plate up, drizzle with extra chili crisp, and garnish with fresh parsley or more Parmesan if desired.
🍽️ Nutritional Information (Estimated per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~520 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 54 g |
| Protein | 15 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
| Fiber | 3 g |
⚡ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Rushing the onions: True caramelization takes time (15–20 minutes). Don’t crank up the heat or they’ll burn instead of sweeten.
- Skipping pasta water: It’s the key to a silky, emulsified sauce.
- Adding cream too early: If the pan is too hot, the cream may separate, reduce heat first.
- Using cold ingredients: Room-temperature cream blends better and prevents curdling.
- Over-salting: Remember, Parmesan and soy sauce already add saltiness, taste before seasoning.
❓ FAQ
Q1: Can I make this vegan?
Yes! Use coconut milk instead of cream, plant-based butter, and skip the Parmesan or use vegan cheese.
Q2: What pasta shape works best?
Spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine work beautifully since they hold onto the creamy sauce.
Q3: Can I use pre-caramelized onions or onion jam?
You can, but homemade caramelized onions give the best flavor depth.
Q4: How spicy is it?
The chili crisp adds a mild to medium kick, adjust the amount to taste.
Q5: Can I store leftovers?
Yes. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water or cream.
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