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–+ servings

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions Pasta

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A comforting, budget-friendly pasta dish featuring sweet, jammy caramelized onions, cooked slowly for a rich flavor without heavy cream.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Vegetarian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the caramelized onions
  • 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced About 6–8 cups
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter Use butter for richer flavor
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar Optional; helps speed and deepen caramelization
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary Or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine or vegetable broth Non-alcoholic option
For the pasta
  • 1 pound pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Or nutritional yeast for vegan
  • 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped For garnish
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Peel and thinly slice all 4 onions. Take your time—thin, even slices caramelize best.
  2. Add the sliced onions to the slow cooker. Drizzle with olive oil or dot with butter. Sprinkle with salt and optional sugar. Stir to coat evenly.
Cooking
  1. Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours, stirring once or twice if home to encourage even browning.
  2. About 30 minutes before the end, stir in minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and white wine or broth. Continue cooking until onions are deeply golden and fragrant.
Pasta Cooking and Combining
  1. While onions finish cooking, prepare your pasta by boiling in well-salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
  2. Transfer drained pasta to a pot or a large bowl. Add caramelized onions and toss. Gradually add reserved pasta water until you achieve a silky sauce.
  3. Stir in grated Parmesan until melted and glossy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  4. Plate immediately and garnish with chopped parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 12gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 500mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4g

Notes

You can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave. For vegan option, use olive oil and nutritional yeast.
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