Caramelized Onion Pasta Recipe
An Original Recipe by Lorraine Elliott
Recipe Overview
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients Needed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons oil
- 1 large onion, sliced (around 150g/5oz)
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1-2 tablespoon chilli crisp (start with 1, add to taste)
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped baby capers
- 1 teaspoon each garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, Italian herbs
- 1 cup/250ml/8.8fl oz evaporated milk or cream
- 50g/1.7oz parmesan grated
- 250g/8.8oz spaghetti
Optional
- 6 large scallops
- 1 tablespoon high smoke point oil (avocado, sunflower, ghee)
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1 PREP - Place a large pot of salted water onto boil. Cut onion in half horizontally (not through the root). Remove skin and mandolin on the thinnest setting.
Step 2 SAUTE - Heat butter and oil in a large frying pan on low to medium heat and add the onion and saute for 10-15 minutes. If the onion starts to catch a little, add a splash of water.
Step 3 PASTA - While the onion is caramelising, start cooking the pasta until al dente.
Step 4 SCALLOPS (OPTIONAL) - Place a small pan onto high heat and add oil. Pat scallops dry and season with salt and pepper. Place scallops in the hot pan and allow to sear for 2 minutes on each side without lifting. Turn over and repeat on the other side.
Step 5 SAUCE - When onion is golden and caramelised, add the crushed garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add the chilli crisp, capers and spice seasoning mix and stir and saute for 1 minute to meld. Add the evaporated milk or cream and then the parmesan and stir in and turn heat down to low once a creamy sauce has formed. The pasta should be ready. Scoop out 2 cups of pasta cooking water and add 1 cup of pasta cooking water to the sauce. Drain pasta and add it to the sauce and stir to coat. If the sauce is too thick add some more pasta cooking water. You can also use a large carving fork to spin the spaghetti onto it. Serve with the scallops (if using).
Personal Note
I made so many versions of this to test it out I tried it with cream, light cream, then evaporated milk and low fat evaporated milk. A lot of testing goes into these recipes just so they come out foolproof or as close to it as I can get.
Mr NQN wasn't complaining one bit though. He loves pasta - apart from sashimi I think it's his favourite dinner. I would see him slurp up fat forkfuls of this caramelised onion pasta wondering how he could fit that much in his mouth. He ATE.
I've mentioned before how Mr NQN is a shy guy who likes to blend into the background. But there is one place where he is the star of the show. When we were recently in Singapore, he found the oddest thing happening.
My tall Australian husband was worshipped by strangers there. But it wasn't the women, it was the men that would look at him like he hung the moon in the sky. I mentioned it to him once and he had to admit he noticed it too. Men there looked up at him with what I can only describe with stars in their eyes. It was kind of cute (but kind of weird for him!).
So tell me Dear Reader, have you ever been to a country where people like you? Have you ever tried caramelised onion pasta?