Caramelized Shallot Pasta Recipes

CARAMELIZED ONION PASTA

Steps:

• Heat oil and butter in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium until butter is melted. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until very tender and deeply golden brown, about 30 minutes. (Stop before the onions become dry and shriveled.) Add red pepper flakes (if using) and 1 1/2 tsp. salt. Remove pot from heat.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta cooking liquid.
• Add pasta and 1 cup pasta cooking liquid to onion mixture and stir to combine. Add a small handful of cheese and stir until melted. Repeat with remaining cheese, adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed to create a glossy sauce that coats the pasta. Stir in parsley (if using).
• Divide pasta among bowls. Top with Parmesan, parsley, and a few cranks of pepper.

CARAMELIZED GARLIC AND SHALLOT PASTA

Steps:

• Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add shallots and garlic cloves, stirring to coat. Sprinkle with sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper, and stir to combine. Cook until very soft and golden, about 1 hour, adding water 2 tablespoons at a time if the pan seems dry.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer garlic and shallots to a bowl, and set aside. Add chicken stock, and bring to a boil, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is reduced by one quarter, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat, return garlic and shallots to pan, and keep warm while cooking pasta.
• Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes.
• Drain pasta, and return to saucepan. Stir in remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, reserved garlic and shallots, and sauce. Cut basil leaves into thin strips. Divide the pasta and sauce among six serving bowls, and serve immediately garnished with basil and shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano.