Pasta with Smothered Onion Sauce Marcella Hazan

Indulge in the comforting simplicity of Pasta with Smothered Onion Sauce, a signature dish inspired by the legendary Marcella Hazan. This recipe transforms humble ingredients into a luxurious, flavor-packed meal. Golden, caramelized onions are slowly cooked to perfection, creating a rich and aromatic base enhanced by dry white wine, a splash of heavy cream, and a generous handful of grated Parmesan cheese. Paired with perfectly al dente pasta, this velvety sauce clings to every strand, delivering a delightful balance of sweetness and umami. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color, this classic Italian-inspired dish is ideal for an intimate dinner or a cozy family meal. Perfect for lovers of simple yet elevated pasta recipes, this dish brings the essence of homemade Italian cooking straight to your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 large Yellow onions
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 cup Dry white wine
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 12 ounces Pasta (such as spaghetti or fettuccine)
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Peel and thinly slice the yellow onions into half-moons.

Step 2

In a large saucepan, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the sliced onions to the pan, stirring to coat them evenly with the fat.

Step 4

Sprinkle in the salt and black pepper, then reduce the heat to low.

Step 5

Cover the pan and let the onions cook slowly for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft, golden, and sweet. Be careful not to let them burn.

Step 6

Once the onions are caramelized, pour in the white wine and increase the heat to medium-high. Let the wine simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly.

Step 7

Once the wine has reduced, lower the heat again and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for another 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 8

While the sauce is finishing, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.

Step 9

Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.

Step 10

Add the cooked pasta directly to the saucepan with the onion sauce, tossing to coat each strand evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.

Step 11

Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 12

Transfer the pasta to serving plates or a large bowl, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1447.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3313.6

Total Fat 226.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 123.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 554.5mg	0%
Sodium 6092.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 150.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.8g	0%
Total Sugars 17.0g
Protein 114.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2742.6mg	0%
Iron 5.0mg	0%
Potassium 1033.1mg	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: 65.8%

Protein: 14.8%

Carbs: 19.4%