Caramelized Onion Pasta

As Bolbon, we take our job seriously to bring you the best of classic recipes with a modern twist, including the important category of pasta. This, our friends, is a genius Caramelized Onion Pasta recipe. Caramelized onions are a labor of love, taking close to an hour of constant stirring on the stovetop. Here we've eliminated all the time spent standing by the stove. We’re making caramelized onions in the oven! It’s a hands-free technique with the same creamy, flavor-rich, melt-in-your-mouth results. Alongside the onions, we’ve got an entire head of garlic which turns nutty, soft, and mellow in the oven. This dish is bursting with flavor, and it couldn’t be easier to prepare.

What stands out

If you love the irresistible flavor and texture of caramelized onions, you will love this Caramelized Onion Pasta recipe, which simplifies the preparation by caramelizing the onions in the oven. They roast alongside a whole head of garlic, which joins salty, tangy sun dried tomatoes and creamy Boursin cheese in a pasta sauce from heaven! The bowtie pasta’s shape perfectly tangles with strands of silky onions and holds sauce in its nooks and crannies. If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers, they hold up beautifully for tomorrow’s lunch. This is why you must try Caramelized Onion Pasta.

How to Prepare

Preheat the oven to 400F.

To a large baking dish add the sliced onions, balsamic glaze, olive oil, sun dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning and mix all the ingredients well. Then place the prepped garlic in the center of the dish and drizzle with olive oil.

Next bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until the onions have caramelized. Also, we like to stir the onions 2 to 3 times throughout the baking time when making Caramelized Onion Pasta.

Meanwhile, about 10 minutes before the onions have finished baking Caramelized Onion Pasta cook the pasta as per the package instructions. While the pasta is boiling, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

Once the onions are done cooking, using a kitchen towel to protect your hands, squeeze the garlic from the peel, directly onto the onion mixture. Add the Boursin cheese and stir to combine. Add the hot pasta and some starchy pasta water, if needed.

Finally, toss well and feel free to garnish with basil, parmigiano, and chili oil, if desired. Enjoy your Caramelized Onion Pasta!

Kitchen tip

Do not pour the pasta cooking water down the drain! That starchy liquid will help emulsify your sauce, so it coats each piece of pasta. It’s especially great for Caramelized Onion Pasta.

Swaps

1. Instead of yellow onions, feel free to use shallots or red onions for making Caramelized Onion Pasta.
2. Feel free to omit the sun dried tomatoes and use fresh tomatoes instead. Rather than sun dried tomatoes, try olives and/or capers for a nice briny saltiness.
3. For a kick of heat, try garnishing with your favorite chili oil. We love this one.
4. In case you don’t have basil, you can also try minced parsley as a garnish for your Caramelized Onion Pasta.

Serve it with

• For some added protein, try topping the pasta with slices of tender, thinly pounded Juicy Chicken Breast which pairs well with Caramelized Onion Pasta.
• Pair your pasta with a side of veggies, like Creamy Baked Broccoli or Grilled Zucchini.
• A fresh salad and pasta are a match. Try a Caprese or Caesar Salad.

Questions

Can this be made vegan?

Yes, you can certainly make this vegan by omitting the Boursin or using your favorite creamy vegan cheese.

Can i use other pasta shapes?

Yes, you can use any shape you like, such as fussili or penne. However larger pasta shapes work better than pastina (tiny shapes, such as orzo or ditalini).

Can this be made in advance?

Yes, this dish holds well in the refrigerator for 3 days. Add a tablespoon or two of water when you reheat, to help loosen up the sauce.

Can i add protein to this dish?

Yes, this would be with chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas on top. However, make sure the protein is fully cooked before pairing with the finished dish.

Can this be made gluten-free?

Yes, you can use your favorite brand of gluten-free pasta instead.

Ingredients

Makes 3 bowls

• 3 yellow onions, sliced into rings
• ½ tablespoon balsamic glaze
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• ⅓ cup sun dried tomatoes, (jarred variety, packed in oil and/or water)
• ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 bulb garlic, top cut off
• 200 grams bow tie pasta
• ¼ package Boursin Cheese, (30 grams)
• fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
• parmigiano cheese, for garnish (optional)
• chili oil, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

• Chefs Knife
• Cutting Board
• Baking Dish
• Rotary Grater
• strainer
• Measuring Cups + Spoons

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 400F.
2. To a large baking dish (at least 9×9), add the sliced onions, balsamic glaze, olive oil, sun dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Mix well. Place the prepped garlic in the center of the dish. Drizzle the exposed garlic cloves with olive oil. Cover the dish tightly with foil.
3. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until the onions have caramelized. We like to stir the onions 2 to 3 times throughout the baking time.
4. About 10 minutes before the onions have finished baking, start on boiling the pasta as per the package instructions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
5. Remove the onion mixture from the oven. Using a kitchen towel to protect your hands, squeeze the garlic from the peel, directly onto the onion mixture. Add the Boursin cheese and stir to combine. Add in the hot pasta and a touch of the starchy pasta water, if needed.
6. Toss well and feel free to garnish with basil, parmigiano, and chili oil, if desired. Enjoy!

Kitchen notes

Substitutions

: Instead of yellow onions, substitute shallots or red onions. Feel free to swap sun dried tomatoes for fresh tomatoes. Try olives or capers for a nice briny saltiness. Kick It Up a Notch: For a kick of heat, try garnishing with your favorite chili oil. Garnishes: In case you don’t have basil, you can also try minced parsley as a garnish.