Sweet Heat Caramelized Onion Fettuccine (Printable)
Caramelized onion fettuccine with sweet heat sauce featuring honey, cream, and chili peppers.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz fettuccine
→ Caramelized Onions
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
05 - 2 tbsp brown sugar
06 - 1 tsp salt
→ Sweet Heat Sauce
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 red chili pepper, finely chopped, seeds removed
09 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
10 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 1 tbsp honey
12 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Garnish
14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
15 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese for serving
# Directions:
01 - Cook fettuccine in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
02 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions soften and begin to brown, approximately 10 minutes.
03 - Sprinkle brown sugar over onions and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until deeply caramelized and golden brown, 15-20 additional minutes.
04 - Add minced garlic and chopped red chili pepper to the caramelized onions. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
05 - Stir in honey, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Add cooked fettuccine to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat, adding reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time until sauce reaches desired consistency.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce clings to every strand of fettuccine like a warm embrace
- Sweet and spicy dance together without either overpowering the other
02 -
- Patience with the onions pays off in ways that rushing never will
- Pasta water is liquid gold, never skip this step
03 -
- Slice onions as thin as possible for even caramelization
- Room temperature cream prevents it from separating when added