Irresistible Caramelized Onion & Sundried Tomato Spaghetti Recipe

Tucking into a plate of caramelized onion and sundried tomato spaghetti promises pure culinary magic that tantalizes every sense.

Rich, sweet onions slowly melt into golden ribbons of flavor while intense sundried tomatoes add vibrant depth to this simple pasta dish.

The combination creates a symphony of Mediterranean-inspired tastes that dance across your palate.

Silky strands of spaghetti provide the perfect canvas for these bold ingredients to shine.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike adore this surprisingly elegant yet straightforward recipe.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and umami that makes dinner feel like a gourmet experience.

Get ready to transform an ordinary evening meal into something extraordinary with this irresistible pasta creation.

Planning Ahead for Storage

• Quick Batch Cooking: Prepare a double batch of this spaghetti and store individual portions in airtight containers for easy weeknight meals. Perfect for busy professionals wanting delicious, ready-to-heat dinners.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in sealed containers for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will continue developing, making each subsequent meal even more delectable. Avoid keeping the pasta for longer to maintain optimal taste and texture.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Gently warm the pasta in a skillet with a splash of water or vegetable broth to restore moisture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. This method helps resurrect the original creamy sauce consistency.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Freeze portions without pine nuts for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat slowly. The caramelized onions and sundried tomatoes maintain their rich flavor profile beautifully during freezing.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredient List for Caramelized Onion and Sundried Tomato Spaghetti

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Provides rich, smooth foundation for caramelizing onions and building deep flavor profile.
• Yellow Onions: Creates sweet, mellow caramelized base that adds depth to the entire dish.
• Garlic Cloves: Introduces aromatic intensity and robust savory undertones.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Delivers gentle heat and subtle spicy kick.
• Dried Oregano: Brings Mediterranean herbaceous notes and earthy complexity.

• Tomato Paste: Concentrates tangy tomato essence and provides silky texture.
• Tamari: Enhances savory depth with complex salty dimension.
• Nutritional Yeast: Contributes cheesy, nutty undertones without dairy.

• Sundried Tomatoes: Introduces intense, concentrated tomato sweetness and chewy texture.
• Spaghetti: Serves as primary vehicle for sauce, selecting high-quality pasta ensures perfect result.
• Kosher Salt: Balances and heightens overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and gentle spiciness.

• Pine Nuts: Provides crunchy contrast and nutty richness.
• Italian Parsley: Offers fresh, bright herbal finish and visual appeal.

Gear to Make the Spaghetti Dish

• Large Saucepan: Essential for boiling spaghetti and ensuring even cooking.
• Skillet: Perfect for caramelizing onions and garlic, creating rich flavor base.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to thinly slice onions and garlic with precision.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurately measuring pasta water and ingredients.
• Colander: Used for draining pasta after cooking.
• Cutting Board: Provides stable surface for chopping ingredients.

Cooking Directions for Tomato & Onion Spaghetti

• Pasta Water Setup

Create a large pot of boiling water seasoned with salt, ready for spaghetti cooking.

• Onion Transformation

Heat a skillet and gently coax onions into a golden, soft state through patient caramelization, allowing natural sugars to develop deep flavor.

• Garlic Infusion

Introduce delicate garlic slices into the caramelized onion landscape, developing rich aromatic layers and gentle sweetness.

• Spice Symphony

Sprinkle red pepper flakes and oregano, awakening the skillet with vibrant, zesty undertones that dance through the emerging sauce.

• Tomato Depth

Fold in rich tomato paste, darkening its essence and creating a robust foundation for the entire dish.

• Flavor Enhancement

Blend tamari, nutritional yeast, and sundried tomatoes, creating a complex umami backdrop that elevates the sauce’s character.

• Pasta Integration

Marry cooked spaghetti with the skillet’s magical mixture, using reserved pasta water to craft a silky, clinging sauce.

• Final Touch

Scatter toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley across the dish, adding texture and bright, herbal notes for a stunning culinary experience.

Taste Variations for This Spaghetti Dish

• Flavor-Boosting Technique: Toast your pine nuts in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before sprinkling them on top to enhance their nutty, rich flavor and add a delightful crunch to the dish.
• Sauce Consistency Hack: Control the sauce's thickness by gradually adding reserved pasta water – a little goes a long way in creating a silky, glossy coating that clings perfectly to every strand of spaghetti.
• Ingredient Swap Magic: Replace sundried tomatoes with roasted red peppers for a slightly sweeter profile, or use kalamata olives to introduce a tangy Mediterranean twist that transforms the entire meal.
• Storage and Reheat Pro-Tip: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When reheating, splash a bit of water or vegetable broth to revive the sauce's moisture and prevent the spaghetti from becoming dry and clumpy.
• Nutrition Upgrade: Boost the protein content by adding white beans, crispy chickpeas, or crumbled plant-based sausage for a more substantial and satisfying vegetarian meal that keeps you full longer.

How to Serve the Spaghetti

• Rustic Italian Dinner Night: Create a cozy Italian-inspired dining experience by pairing this spaghetti with a crisp green salad and crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.
• Gourmet Flavor Boost: Sprinkle some extra nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan cheese on top to enhance the umami depth and add a rich, cheesy note to the dish.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the caramelized onions and sundried tomatoes with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or a light Sangiovese to elevate the entire meal's flavor profile.
• Leftover Magic: Transform any remaining pasta into a cold pasta salad the next day by adding fresh herbs, a drizzle of olive oil, and some extra sundried tomatoes for a quick and delicious lunch option.

Irresistible Spaghetti

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4.5 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Caramelized onion and sundried tomato spaghetti combines Mediterranean flavors with rustic comfort. Simmered onions and tangy tomatoes create a rich pasta experience you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 10 oz (285g) spaghetti or linguine (can use gluten-free)
• 2 medium yellow onions, very thinly sliced
• 1 5.3 oz (150g) tube of tomato paste
• 4–5 large oil-packed sundried tomatoes, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps tamari (or soy sauce)
• 2 tbsps nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Kosher salt or sea salt to taste
• Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• Water to deglaze the pan
• Toasted pine nuts
• Chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley

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Instructions

1. Boil Preparation: Fill a large pot with water, generously salt, and bring to a vigorous boil, then cook spaghetti according to package instructions until perfectly al dente.
2. Liquid Preservation: Reserve one cup of starchy pasta water before draining, which will become crucial for sauce development.
3. Onion Transformation: Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over high heat, add thinly sliced onions, season with salt and pepper, and caramelize for 15 minutes, occasionally deglazing with water to prevent burning.
4. Aromatic Enhancement: Reduce heat to medium, introduce garlic slivers, and cook until golden, then sprinkle red pepper flakes and dried oregano to awaken their essence.
5. Sauce Foundation: Incorporate tomato paste, stirring until color deepens, then blend tamari, nutritional yeast, and sundried tomatoes into the skillet mixture.
6. Sauce Refinement: Simmer gently, pour reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce, then add cooked spaghetti and toss vigorously to ensure complete coating.
7. Finishing Touches: Adjust sauce consistency with additional pasta water if needed, garnish with toasted pine nuts and freshly chopped Italian parsley, then serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Maximize Pasta Water: Reserve a cup of starchy cooking liquid to create a silky, emulsified sauce that helps ingredients cling perfectly to spaghetti.
• Caramelize with Patience: Slowly cook onions and garlic over medium heat, taking 15-25 minutes, to develop deep, rich flavor foundations without burning.
• Flavor Layering Technique: Add ingredients sequentially – starting with onions, then garlic, spices, and tomato paste – to build complex, harmonious taste profiles.
• Strategic Seasoning: Balance salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and herbs throughout cooking to enhance and develop nuanced flavor depths in the sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 0mg