A simple yet flavorful pasta dish featuring sweet caramelized onions, a touch of creamy richness, and a spicy kick from chili oil. Perfect for a quick, delicious meal!
Author:Sarah
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:30 minutes
Yield:2 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Sautéing, Boiling
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
2 servings spaghetti (or pasta of choice)
For the Sauce:
2 tbsp chili oil
½ cup cream
1 large red onion, thinly sliced
3 tbsp olive oil
3–4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
Salt, to taste (~1-2 tsp)
Optional Garnish:
Parmesan cheese
Chopped parsley
Instructions
Prepare the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons of salt and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions.
Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining, then set the cooked spaghetti aside.
Caramelize the Onions:
Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat until hot but not smoking.
Add the sliced red onions and sauté for about 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are caramelized and golden brown.
Build the Sauce:
Add the chopped garlic to the pan with the onions and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in the chili oil and cream, mixing well to combine.
Add Italian seasoning, salt to taste, and, if desired, grated Parmesan cheese for extra richness.
Combine and Serve:
Add the cooked spaghetti to the pan, tossing to coat evenly in the sauce. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.
Garnish with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese, if using.
Enjoy this creamy, spicy, and aromatic pasta dish while it’s warm!
Notes
For extra heat, feel free to add more chili oil or a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce.
Parmesan cheese adds a nice umami richness, but it’s optional.