Description
Caramelized Shallot Pasta is a simple yet elegant dish featuring sweet, golden shallots in a creamy sauce tossed with al dente spaghetti. This recipe combines the rich flavors of caramelized shallots, vegetable broth, and heavy cream for a luscious pasta experience, finished with fresh thyme, Parmesan cheese, and parsley for a perfect balance of taste and presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti or your preferred pasta
Sauce and Garnish
- 4 large shallots, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (or ¼ teaspoon dried thyme)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Caramelize Shallots: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the sliced shallots and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes until the shallots are golden brown and soft.
- Add Broth: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Let it reduce for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to concentrate the flavors.
- Incorporate Cream: Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Mix well and allow it to simmer gently for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta in the creamy shallot sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it to your preferred consistency.
- Season: Stir in the chopped thyme, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to blend all the flavors evenly.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the pasta and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of chopped parsley. Serve immediately to enjoy the full depth of flavors.
Notes
- To ensure perfectly caramelized shallots, cook them slowly over medium heat without rushing.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency as needed.
- Fresh thyme offers a brighter flavor, but dried thyme works well in a pinch.
- For a richer taste, you can substitute half of the heavy cream with mascarpone or cream cheese.
- This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or crusty bread.
