Description
A comforting pasta dish featuring caramelized onions, creamy sauce, and a touch of browned butter for a nutty flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or your choice)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup gruyere cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
- Additional parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and olive oil. Add the sliced onions, season with salt, and sautรฉ for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions are caramelized and a deep golden brown.
- Add the garlic and thyme to the onions, cooking for another 2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Increase the heat slightly and add the balsamic vinegar, stirring to deglaze the pan and incorporate any caramelized bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Pour in the heavy cream, bringing it to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Stir in the gruyere and parmesan cheese, allowing them to melt into the sauce.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter over medium heat until it turns light brown and releases a nutty aromaโabout 3-4 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta to the onion and cream mixture, tossing to coat the pasta in the sauce. Use the reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency if needed.
- Drizzle the browned butter over the pasta, tossing once more to incorporate it evenly.
- Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and extra parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
For a vegan version, substitute the dairy products with plant-based alternatives. For added nutrition, consider mixing in vegetables like spinach or mushrooms.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 70mg