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Caramelized Onion Pasta

Published 12/26/2024

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This Caramelized Onion Pasta tastes as if French onion soup and pasta rode off into the sunset together. It’s a dish that is both creamy and caramelized, with deliciously deep flavors from the onions.

A baked pasta dish in a white pot, featuring rotini pasta covered with melted cheese and garnished with a sprig of fresh herbs on top.

To me, anything with caramelized onions is destined for greatness. It’s such an easy way to elevate any dish and add an unmatched depth of flavor. So why not add it to pasta? Only mouthwatering things could happen, and that’s exactly what this caramelized onion pasta is — drool-worthy.

You really just need to be patient when caramelizing the onions. After that, you make your sauce, add the pasta, toast your breadcrumbs, and bring it all together for a broil. It’s everything you could want in a pasta dish and more.

How to Use Each Variety of Onion

We used white onions for this recipe, but yellow onions can be used too. You can also use red onions if that’s what you have on hand; just note that they will change the color of the pasta.

If you’re ever unsure of what type of onion to use for what dish, here’s a quick guide:

White onions: These are milder in flavor and are great for raw dishes like salads or salsa, as well as cooked dishes where you don’t want the onion to overpower the other flavors.

Yellow onions: These are the most common type of onion and are great for caramelizing due to their high sugar content. They also work well in cooked dishes like soups, stews, and sauces.

Red onions: These are best used raw in dishes like salads or sandwiches, as they have a stronger and more pungent flavor than white or yellow onions. They also add a beautiful pop of color to any dish.

Shallots: These are like if garlic and onion had a baby. They have a mild, sweet flavor and are great for adding depth to sauces or dressings.

Step-by-step process of making a pasta bake: sautéing onions, adding broth, mixing with pasta, baking with cheese.

What other kind of pasta pairs well with this caramelized onion pasta recipe?

We used fusilli pasta, but you can use any small pasta. Some other great options include penne, bowtie, or even spaghetti. These have a similar shape and texture to fusilli and will hold the sauce well.

What’s a good substitute for parmesan cheese?

Gruyere or shredded sharp white cheddar cheese would be great alternatives to parmesan in this recipe. They both have a strong, nutty flavor that pairs well with caramelized onions.

A pot of rotini pasta topped with a layer of grated cheese and breadcrumbs.

How to Make Carmelized Onion Pasta

Caramelize Onions: Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium/high heat. Add the onions to the pot and season with ⅕ teaspoons of salt. Toss and saute over medium/low heat for 25-30 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes until caramelized and reduced by about half.
Add Garlic & Deglaze: Next, add garlic to the onions and cook for about 1 minute or until fragrant. Deglaze the pot with red wine and scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
Create Sauce: Add the remaining salt, Worcestershire sauce, broth, and water to the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Cook Pasta: Now add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until the pasta is al dente. The pasta will cook, and the sauce should thicken. Remove the pasta from the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Toast Breadcrumbs: Preheat the oven to broil and place the breadcrumbs onto a baking sheet. Broil for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
Assemble: Spread the breadcrumbs to the top of the pasta and then top with the remaining parmesan cheese.
Broil: Transfer the pot to the oven and broil for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Remove from the oven.
Rest & Serve: Let the pasta rest for 5-10 minutes, top with fresh thyme, and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Close-up of baked rotini pasta with melted cheese, breadcrumbs, and herbs in a round dish. A fork is partially visible in the pasta.

here’s a tip!

For the broth, we used Better Than Bullion Paste. We like the flavor and convenience. If you use boxed broth, be sure to taste the sauce for salt. The saltier your broth, the saltier your pasta will be.

Storage

This caramelized onion pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed.