Description
This Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring deeply caramelized onions cooked low and slow for a rich, sweet base. Tossed with pasta, Parmesan cheese, and cream, it’s a creamy, satisfying vegetarian meal perfect for an easy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Caramelized Onions
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta of choice
Sauce & Garnish
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare Onions: Place the sliced onions in the slow cooker along with butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, and sugar. Stir well to coat all onions evenly. Set the slow cooker on low.
- Cook Onions: Let the onions cook for 8 to 10 hours on low, stirring occasionally if possible. The goal is to achieve deeply golden, caramelized onions with a rich sweetness.
- Add Garlic and Thyme: About 30 minutes before the end of cooking, stir in the minced garlic and dried thyme to infuse flavor without burning the garlic.
- Cook Pasta: While the onions finish cooking, prepare the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Combine Pasta and Onions: Add the drained pasta to the slow cooker with the caramelized onions. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and heavy cream.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: Use a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed, tossing everything until creamy and well combined.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a fresh finish and serve the pasta warm.
Notes
- For extra richness and depth, add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the onions near the end of cooking.
- Enhance the dish by including sautéed mushrooms or crispy bacon for added flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
