Creamy Caramelized Onion Pasta

This post may contain affiliate links that won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Creamy Caramelized Onion Pasta is rich, simple, and easy to make at home. The onions cook down until they’re golden brown and deeply flavorful. Even with slowly caramelizing the onions, it still only takes 30 minutes to make.

This recipe is a good option when you want comfort food and can be served as a main or side dish. I designed it to use pantry ingredients for a hearty and budget-friendly meal.

A close-up of creamy caramelized onion pasta being stirred with metal tongs in a stainless steel pan.

Creamy Caramelized Onion Pasta

This dish is rich in carbs from the pasta and fat from the cream and butter. Onions add some fiber and vitamins. You add vegetables or protein if you want to round out the meal. For a lighter version, use less cream or Greek yogurt and swap in whole wheat pasta.

A bowl of creamy caramelized onion pasta with a fork, set on a white napkin, with more spaghetti visible in a pan in the background.

Use sweet onions for the best for this creamy caramelized onion pasta. Stir often while cooking them so they don’t burn. If you’re short on time, you can cook the onions a little faster over medium heat, but you’ll lose some of the deep flavor.

Heavy cream makes this dish rich, but you can swap in half-and-half or even plain Greek yogurt for a little protein and tangy sauce.

Use any pasta you like.

A pan of creamy caramelized onion pasta mixed with a luscious sauce, with metal tongs and a white cloth napkin resting on the side.

PMc says:

We like this recipe because it feels special without much work.

Cook the onions low and slow—don’t rush them. They need time to soften and caramelize properly, which gives the dish all its flavor.

A bowl of spaghetti noodles garnished with herbs sits on a white napkin beside a fork, with a skillet of more pasta in the background.

Creamy Caramelized Onion Pasta FAQ

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Reheat it gently with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.

Can I freeze it?
This pasta isn’t the best for freezing because the cream can separate. It’s better fresh or stored in the fridge for a few days.

What can I add to this?
Try cooked chicken, mushrooms, or spinach if you want to add more to the dish. Or, you may like One Pot French Onion Pasta.

A white bowl filled with noodles, with a fork twirling some noodles; another dish of pasta is visible in the background.

Conclusion

Creamy caramelized onion pasta is warm and comforting. It uses simple steps and common ingredients, but the result feels complete and full of flavor. Once you try it, it might become a regular in your meal rotation.

A white bowl filled with creamy caramelized onion pasta, garnished with herbs, sits on a white napkin with a fork nearby.
A close-up of creamy caramelized onion pasta being stirred with metal tongs in a stainless steel pan.

Creamy Caramelized Onion Pasta

Author: Paula
No ratings yet
Print Rate
Save To Your Recipe Box
Servings: 4 servings

Items in blue & underlined below can be clicked for more detail or to purchase.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over low to medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced onions. Allow the onions to cook and caramelize slowly for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. You'll want them to be a deep golden brown color.
  • Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the beef broth, salt, pepper, garlic, and butter. Slowly pour in the heavy cream and stir until combined. Allow the sauce to simmer 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Cook the pasta according to package directions to al dente. Drain but reserve 1 to 2 cups of the pasta water.
  • Add the pasta to your caramelized onion sauce and stir. Add a little pasta water if the mixture is too thick. Taste and add more salt, pepper, or garlic if needed. Cover and simmer on low for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Uncover, stir, garnish, and serve.

Notes

This makes two large main portion servings and 4 side dish servings.

Nutrition

Calories: 640kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 645mg | Potassium: 492mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 967IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 107mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are important to you, I recommend calculating them yourself.

Want to save your favorite recipes?Create an account or login & ‘Save Recipe’ to your Recipe Box. You can access your saved recipes on any device & generate a shopping list for recipes in your collections. For more info visit Recipe Box FAQ!
Tried this recipe?Please take a moment to comment letting me know how you liked it & consider giving it a 5 star rating. I love hearing from you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your email address will not be published. Have you tried this recipe? Consider giving it 5 stars!