I Made the Viral Caramelized Onion Pasta With Over 20 Million Views, and It’s as Good as Promised
This viral caramelized onion pasta delivers creamy, savory flavor with sweet onions, Parmesan, and balsamic tang—all made simple with clever prep and pressure-cooking techniques.
Equipment
- 1 Mixing bowl Large
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 large yellow onions thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 12 ounces pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- ¼ cup pasta water reserved
Instructions
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat until warm, not smoking.
- Add onion slices with salt and pepper. Cook while stirring occasionally until golden brown, about 25–30 minutes.
- Add balsamic vinegar and cook for another 2 minutes until absorbed.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water before draining.
- Add drained pasta to skillet with caramelized onions. Toss gently to coat noodles.
- Add butter and Parmesan cheese. Stir to melt and combine.
- Pour in a splash of reserved pasta water to create creamy sauce.
- Optional: Sprinkle red pepper flakes for heat. Serve warm.
Notes
Make ahead by caramelizing onions in advance. Store leftovers in fridge or freezer for easy meals.