Sweet and spicy pasta with caramelized onions, aromatic chili oil, Parmesan, and fresh herbs for a comforting bold meal.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz spaghetti, penne, or linguine
02 - Salt, for pasta water
→ Caramelized Onions
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Chili Oil
07 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon red chili flakes
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1 small garlic clove, thinly sliced
11 - 1 teaspoon soy sauce
→ Garnishing
12 - Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
13 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
14 - Extra chili flakes (optional)
# How-To:
01 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 25–30 minutes until deeply golden and caramelized. Add the minced garlic in the last 5 minutes, stirring to avoid burning. Season with black pepper and adjust salt to taste. Set aside.
02 - In a small saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Add chili flakes and paprika; stir continuously for 2–3 minutes until aromatic. Stir in soy sauce and let simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
04 - Toss the hot pasta with the caramelized onions in the skillet. Drizzle with the chili oil and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to loosen the sauce.
05 - Top with generous Parmesan, chopped herbs, and extra chili flakes if desired. Serve immediately, hot.
