Spicy Spaghetti With Caramelized Onions and Herbs
Ingredients
- Kosher salt
as needed
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 large white or Spanish onions
halved and very thinly sliced
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 6 garlic cloves
- or to taste1/2 teaspoon chile paste or red-pepper flakes
- 2 anchovies
chopped, optional
- 1 cup chopped mix of parsley and basil
or use all parsley
- 1/3 cup chopped cured Moroccan or other intensely flavored black olives
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
cubed
- Lemon wedges
for squeezing
- Grated Parmesan
for serving, optional
Directions
- 1
Put a large pot of heavily salted water on and let it come to a boil.
- 2
Meanwhile, cook the onions: Heat 1/4 cup oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and pale golden at the edges, 20 to 25 minutes. Lower heat if the edges start to brown too quickly or raise heat if onions aren’t turning golden quickly enough.
- 3
When the water comes to a boil, cook spaghetti according to package directions until just al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta.
- 4
Thinly slice 4 garlic cloves, and stir into golden onions, along with red-pepper flakes. Continue to cook until onions are a rich brown, about 10 minutes longer. If the garlic starts to burn, lower the heat.
- 5
Finely grate remaining garlic cloves, and mash into anchovies using the flat side of your knife. Move some of the onion mixture to the side of the pan and add anchovy paste to bare spot in the skillet. Cook paste for 1 minute, then add herbs and olives, stir everything together, and cook another 1 minute.
- 6
Stir in cooked pasta, butter, and salt to taste, tossing to coat pasta. Add pasta water if it looks dry. Serve with a generous squeeze of lemon, and sprinkle with Parmesan and more chile on top, if desired.
Spicy Spaghetti With Caramelized Onions and Herbs
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About this Recipe
Searching for a comforting, flavor-packed pasta dish that feels gourmet yet is incredibly easy to make? This Spicy Spaghetti With Caramelized Onions and Herbs delivers a symphony of sweet, salty, and pungent flavors, all from ingredients you likely have on hand.
What makes this recipe truly special is the thoughtful balance of its components. The slow caramelization of onions creates a deep sweetness that perfectly complements the briny olives and sharp Parmesan, while a punch of chile and garlic ensures every forkful is vibrant and complex. It's a testament to how simple, quality ingredients can transform into something extraordinary with just a little attention.
Prepare for a truly satisfying pasta experience that dances on your palate. You'll savor the tender strands of spaghetti coated in a rich, aromatic sauce, studded with the tender, sweet caramelized onions and bursts of salty cured olives. The warmth of the red chile and garlic provides a deep, savory backbone, lifted by the fresh, fragrant herbs. A final squeeze of fresh lemon cuts through the richness, adding a bright, tangy zest that makes the flavors pop, leaving you wanting just one more bite. This is a wonderfully balanced dish where each ingredient plays a crucial role in building an incredibly deep and nuanced flavor profile.
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable to your pantry and preferences. You can easily swap out the olives for briny capers, or even introduce a savory depth with a small tin of sardines or tuna for a different take. If you don't have fresh lemon on hand, a splash of vinegar can offer a similar bright tang. Feel free to experiment with your greens, using peppery arugula or tender spinach instead of parsley, and if you're looking for a different cheese profile, feta or pecorino make excellent alternatives to Parmesan.
This hearty, flavorful pasta is perfect for a weeknight dinner when you need something quick and delicious, yet impressive enough to serve to guests. Enjoy it on its own, or alongside a simple green salad to complete the meal.