If you’re craving a rich and comforting dish, this caramelised onion pasta is the perfect choice! Slow-cooked onions bring out a natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with pasta, creating a deep, savory flavor. Whether you’re cooking for a quick dinner or a cozy night in, caramelised onion pasta is simple to make yet incredibly satisfying.
Method
Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). This ensures that your oven reaches the right temperature for caramelising the onions and roasting the garlic, allowing them to cook low and slow to develop their full sweetness and depth of flavor.
Prepare the Onions and Garlic
In a large baking dish (about 12×9 inches), toss the thinly sliced onions with olive oil, balsamic glaze, salt, and black pepper. Make sure the onions are evenly coated, then spread them out in a single layer. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it in the oven. Bake for about 1 hour and 10-15 minutes, or until the onions are tender, sticky, and caramelized. Throughout the baking process, give the onions a toss once or twice to release the steam and ensure they cook evenly. This also prevents the onions on the outside from burning. While the onions are baking, take a bulb of garlic and slice off the top to expose the cloves. Drizzle a little olive oil over the garlic, wrap it in foil, and roast it in the oven for about 1 hour, or until the garlic is golden, soft, and buttery. Be sure to check the garlic after about 45-50 minutes to avoid overcooking or burning it.
Cook the Pasta
About 10-15 minutes before your onions and garlic are done, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the farfalle (or any pasta of your choice) and cook it according to the package instructions until it reaches an al dente texture. Once the pasta is done, reserve a cup of the pasta water, which will be useful for adjusting the sauce’s consistency later. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Combine the Onions, Garlic, and Pasta
Once the onions and garlic have finished roasting, remove the baking dish from the oven. Squeeze the roasted garlic out of its bulb and mash it into the soft caramelised onions. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, mascarpone, and a splash of the reserved pasta water to create a rich, creamy sauce. The mascarpone will melt into the onions, adding a velvety smooth texture to the sauce. Once the sauce is well combined, add the drained pasta and toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan and the chopped basil, adjusting the sauce with more pasta water if it feels too thick. The sauce should be creamy, smooth, and perfectly coated on the pasta.
Season to Taste
Taste your pasta and season it with additional salt and pepper as needed to bring out the best of the caramelised flavors. The balsamic glaze adds a bit of tang, while the Parmesan provides saltiness, so adjust the seasoning to your preference. Once the flavors are balanced, serve the pasta with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan on top for that extra touch of cheesy goodness.
Necessary Tools
- Large baking dish (around 12×9 inches)
- Aluminum foil
- Knife and chopping board
- Oven
- Large pot (for pasta)
- Strainer (for draining pasta)
- Spoon or spatula (for stirring)
- Small bowl (for mixing)
- Cheese grater (for Parmesan)
Caramelised Onion Pasta
Cuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes1
hour30
minutes1
hour45
minutesIngredients
1 lb / 500g White Onions, thinly sliced (approx. 3 large)
1/4 cup / 60ml Olive Oil
2 tbsp Balsamic Glaze
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Black Pepper (plus more to taste)
1 bulb of Garlic
12.3oz / 350g Farfalle (or your favorite pasta)
125g / 4.4oz Sun Dried Tomatoes, diced
1 small bunch of Fresh Basil, finely diced (about 30g/1oz)
150g / 5.3oz Mascarpone
30g / 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan (plus more to serve)
Directions
- Prepare the Onions and Garlic:
In a large baking dish (around 12×9 inches), toss the thinly sliced onions with olive oil, balsamic glaze, salt, and pepper. Spread them out evenly and cover the dish with aluminum foil. Place them in the oven and bake for 1 hour and 10-15 minutes, or until the onions are soft, sticky, and sweet. During this time, make sure to check on the onions and give them a toss once or twice. This helps release steam and prevents the onions on the outside from burning.
While the onions are baking, slice the top of the garlic bulb to expose the cloves. Drizzle the garlic with a little olive oil, wrap it in foil, and roast it in the oven for 1 hour or until the garlic becomes golden and soft. Be sure to check on it around the 45-50 minute mark to make sure it’s not burning. - Cook the Pasta:
About 10-15 minutes before the onions and garlic are ready, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the farfalle (or pasta of your choice) and cook until al dente, following the instructions on the package. Once cooked, reserve a cup of the pasta water and drain the rest. - Combine the Onions, Garlic, and Pasta:
When the baking dish comes out of the oven, squeeze the roasted garlic out of the bulb and mash it into the caramelised onions. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, mascarpone, and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Mix everything well to combine into a rich, creamy sauce.
Now, add your drained pasta to the dish and toss it all together. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan and chopped basil. Add more pasta water if the sauce is too thick and stir until it’s creamy and well combined. - Season to Taste:
Give your pasta a good taste and season with extra salt and pepper if needed. Once it’s perfect, serve it up with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- Take your time with the caramelising process. It’s important to bake the onions at a low heat for a longer time to really bring out their sweetness. Don’t rush it, or they won’t develop that perfect soft, sticky texture.
- Check on the onions regularly. Give them a toss a couple of times while baking to make sure they cook evenly and don’t burn. The slow cooking process is key to getting that sweet caramelised flavor.
- Be careful with the garlic. Roasting garlic makes it soft and buttery, but if you let it cook too long, it can turn bitter. Keep an eye on it after 45 minutes to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Serving Suggestions
This pasta is rich and creamy, so I love serving it with a light side salad of mixed greens and a tangy vinaigrette to balance out the flavors. You could also pair it with some crusty bread to soak up all the delicious sauce. If you’re in the mood for something extra, a few fresh basil leaves on top will give it an added burst of flavor.
Fun Fact
Did you know that onions get sweeter the longer they cook? Caramelising onions at low heat releases their natural sugars, turning them from sharp and tangy to soft and sweet. It’s a cooking magic trick!
Conclusion
This caramelised onion pasta is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can create an unforgettable meal. With its sweet, savory flavor and comforting texture, it’s a dish you’ll want to make again and again. Once you try this caramelised onion pasta, it’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
