Charred Onion Pasta

Elevate your weeknight pasta game with this smoky, flavor-packed Charred Onion Pasta. This rustic recipe showcases the irresistible combination of caramelized, golden-brown onion rings and a luscious garlic-infused butter sauce, all tossed with al dente spaghetti. Brightened with a burst of fresh lemon zest and juice, this dish achieves the perfect balance of savory and tangy notes. Tossed with grated Parmesan cheese and finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, this pasta exudes both elegance and simplicity. Ready in just 40 minutes, it's an ideal choice for a quick yet gourmet dinner that pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 g Spaghetti
• 3 medium Yellow onions
• 4 large Garlic cloves
• 4 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 1 large Lemon
• 50 g Grated Parmesan cheese
• 15 g Fresh parsley
• 1 to taste Salt
• 1 to taste Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

Step 1

Peel the onions and slice them into thick rings, about 1 cm wide. Keep the rings intact as much as possible.

Step 2

Peel and finely chop the garlic cloves. Set aside.

Step 3

Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Step 4

Place the onion rings in the hot skillet in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes or until charred and caramelized on one side.

Step 5

Flip the onion rings and char the other side for an additional 3-4 minutes. Remove the onions from the skillet and repeat with the remaining onion rings as needed.

Step 6

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 7

Return the skillet to medium heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the chopped garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant.

Step 8

Add the charred onions back into the skillet. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes, a pinch of salt, and some freshly ground black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes to combine the flavors.

Step 9

Zest the lemon and juice half of it, reserving the other half for later. Add the lemon zest and juice to the skillet.

Step 10

Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together to coat the pasta in the sauce. Add more pasta water as needed to achieve the desired consistency.

Step 11

Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese. Toss until the cheese is melted and incorporated into the sauce.

Step 12

Finely chop the parsley and sprinkle it over the pasta. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.

Step 13

Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(985.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1719.1

Total Fat 99.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 33.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 112mg	0%
Sodium 3243.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 172.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.0g	0%
Total Sugars 19.8g
Protein 50.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 759.6mg	0%
Iron 9.3mg	0%
Potassium 1023.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.2%

Protein: 11.2%

Carbs: 38.5%