Caramelized Onion Chili Crunch Pasta

Name: Caramelized Onion Chili Crunch Pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: 4 yellow onions, thinly sliced; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 2 tbsp olive oil; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 8 oz spaghetti; 2 tbsp chili crisp; 2 tsp soy sauce; 1/2 cup grated parmesan; 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

Slow-caramelized onions tossed with chili crisp, soy sauce, and parmesan, the viral pasta trend that pairs a French technique with an Asian pantry staple.

50 minMediumServes 4520 cal/serving

FusionDinnerStovetopVegetarian

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Ingredients

4 yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz spaghetti
2 tbsp chili crisp
2 tsp soy sauce
1/2 cup grated parmesan
2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

Instructions

1

Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced yellow onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until deep golden and jammy, 25 to 30 minutes.
2

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 8 oz spaghetti until al dente, reserving 1 cup pasta water before draining.
3

Add 4 cloves minced garlic to the caramelized onions and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
4

Stir in 2 tbsp chili crisp and 2 tsp soy sauce, then add the drained pasta and toss, adding splashes of the reserved pasta water until glossy.
5

Remove from heat and toss in 1/2 cup grated parmesan.
6

Top with 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives and serve hot.

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Questions

Why save the pasta water for Caramelized Onion Chili Crunch Pasta?

Step 4 reads: "Stir in 2 tbsp chili crisp and 2 tsp soy sauce, then add the drained pasta and toss, adding splashes of the reserved pasta water until glossy." The water is full of starch. Added back as step 4 directs, it emulsifies the sauce so it clings to the pasta instead of pooling in the bowl.

What can I use instead of Parmesan in Caramelized Onion Chili Crunch Pasta?

The entry for Caramelized Onion Chili Crunch Pasta calls for 1/2 cup grated parmesan. In its place: Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano, measure for measure. For dairy-free, use nutritional yeast at half the volume.

Can I make Caramelized Onion Chili Crunch Pasta gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Caramelized Onion Chili Crunch Pasta is 8 oz spaghetti, 2 tsp soy sauce. Swap the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time; the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Everything else proceeds as written.

Does Caramelized Onion Chili Crunch Pasta contain soy?

Yes: 2 tsp soy sauce. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, dairy and soy. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

Can I freeze Caramelized Onion Chili Crunch Pasta?

Yes. Refrigerate what is left of Caramelized Onion Chili Crunch Pasta within two hours and eat it within three days. Reheat uncovered in a 400 F oven (or an air fryer) for a few minutes to bring the crust back; the microwave softens it. The pasta keeps drinking the sauce as it sits; loosen it with a splash of water or stock. It also freezes well for up to three months.

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