Creamy Caramelized Onion Pasta
Sweet, slow-caramelized onions are the star of this comforting pasta dish, creating a rich, savory sauce layered with garlic, fresh thyme, a splash of brandy, beef stock, and two kinds of cheese. A touch of heavy cream brings everything together into a velvety sauce that coats every strand of pasta, delivering deep, well-balanced flavor in every bite.
Recipe by Chef Giorgos Tsoulis, this creamy caramelized onion pasta is an elegant twist on a classic comfort meal that’s easy enough for a weeknight yet an excellent choice for entertaining as well.
Pair it with a crisp spinach & butternut squash salad, warm pumpkin bread, and a glass of dry white wine for a simple but satisfying dinner.
Creamy Caramelized Onion Pasta
Ingredients
- 500 g linguine
- 4 white onions thinly sliced
- 50 g unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme chopped
- 40 g all-purpose flour
- 30 ml brandy
- 150 ml beef stock
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp balsamic cream
- 120 ml heavy cream
- 50 g parmesan cheese grated
- 120 g graviera cheese grated
- salt
- pepper
- extra virgin olive oil
- fresh basil chopped, for serving
Instructions
- Place a deep pan over medium heat and add the butter along with a drizzle of olive oil. Once the butter has melted, add the sliced onions and sauté for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply golden and caramelized. Reduce the heat if they begin to brown too quickly.
- Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the onions and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Deglaze with the brandy, stirring and scraping up any browned bits, until most of the liquid (i.e. alcohol) has evaporated.
- Increase the heat, then add the beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, and balsamic cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Cook the linguine 2 minutes shy of al dente. Finish cooking it in the sauce for the final 1–2 minutes. Reserve about 1 cup (240 ml) of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the heavy cream. Once the sauce begins to thicken, remove from the heat and mix in the parmesan and graviera cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, stirring well until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked linguine to the pan and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Serve immediately, garnished with freshly chopped basil.
Notes
Related: French Onion Soup
Related: Pasta (Linguine) with Squid & Rye Bread Sauce
Related: Linguine with Manila Clams & Leeks
Related: Spicy Salami Pasta
Related: Salmon Tomato Pasta (No Cream)
