Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions Pasta
Ingredients
Serves 6
The Heart of the Dish
4 large yellow onions (about 3 lbs), thinly sliced (mandoline saves time—but a sharp knife works too!)
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil or unsalted butter (butter adds richness—your fave!)
1 tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp granulated sugar (optional but magical for depth—your bold-flavor love!)
4 cloves garlic, finely minced (add late to preserve flavor!)
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp dried rosemary (crushed between your palms first—releases oils!)
¼ cup dry white wine (Pinot Grigio) or vegetable broth (wine adds brightness—don’t skip!)
For Finishing
1 lb dried pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne—all welcome!)
½ cup (2 oz) freshly grated Parmesan cheese (real Parmigiano-Reggiano—no green can!)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Reserved pasta water (1 cup)
✅ Joye’s Pro Tips
Slice onions uniformly: ⅛-inch thick—no thick chunks to burn, no wisps to vanish.
Salt early: Draws out moisture for deeper caramelization.
Wine secret: Warm it slightly before adding—cold wine shocks the onions.
Pasta note: Cook al dente—it finishes cooking in the silky onion sauce.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Onions (The Quiet Foundation)
→ Peel onions; cut pole-to-pole (not equator!) to minimize tears.
→ Slice thinly (⅛-inch) with a sharp knife or mandoline.
✅ Why pole-to-pole? Preserves cell structure for slower, sweeter caramelization.
2. Slow Cook to Golden Perfection
→ Place onions in a 5–6 quart slow cooker.
→ Drizzle with olive oil/butter, salt, and sugar (if using). Toss gently.
→ Cover; cook on LOW 8–10 hours (or HIGH 4–5 hours), stirring only twice:
→ Once at 2 hours (to redistribute)
→ Once at 6 hours (to prevent sticking)
✅ Don’t peek! Trapped steam is essential. Onions should be deep amber, soft as silk, with no liquid pooling.
3. Finish the Onion Magic
→ 30 minutes before serving: Stir in garlic, thyme, rosemary, and warm wine/broth.
→ Continue cooking uncovered 30 mins—this burns off alcohol and intensifies flavor.
✅ Pro tip: If liquid remains, uncover last hour to evaporate.
4. Cook the Pasta (With Gentle Hands)
