Onion pasta is a simple and cozy meal that’s packed with flavor. The onions are roasted in the oven until they’re soft and caramelized, making them rich and slightly sweet. Mixed with pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and creamy Boursin cheese, this dish is easy to make and satisfying to eat.
Why We Love This Onion Pasta Recipe
You’ll love this onion pasta because it’s unexpectedly luxurious for something so simple. The slow oven-roasting technique caramelizes the onions with minimal effort. As they cook, they become silky and rich, infusing the whole dish with depth and sweetness. Pairing them with roasted garlic, Italian seasoning, and sun-dried tomatoes adds a rustic flair that’s both satisfying and sophisticated. The Boursin cheese brings creaminess without needing to make a separate sauce, and everything comes together in just a few easy steps. Whether you’re making dinner for yourself or impressing guests, this pasta delivers big on flavor with very little stress.
Ingredients about Onion Pasta
- 3 yellow onions, sliced into rings
- ½ tablespoon balsamic glaze
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- ⅓ cup sun dried tomatoes (jarred, packed in oil and/or water)
- ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 bulb garlic, top cut off
- 200 grams bow tie pasta
- 30 grams Boursin cheese (¼ package)
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
- Parmigiano cheese for garnish (optional)
- Chili oil for garnish (optional)
How to Make Onion Pasta Directions
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. While it heats, slice your yellow onions into rings and place them into a large baking dish, at least 9×9 in size. Add the balsamic glaze, olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning to the onions, and mix everything well so the flavors coat the slices evenly. Place your garlic bulb, with the top cut off, right in the center of the dish. Drizzle the exposed garlic cloves with a little more olive oil to help them roast properly. Cover the entire dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 60 to 70 minutes. During this time, you can stir the onion mixture two or three times to ensure everything cooks evenly. This is when the magic happens: the onions slowly turn golden, soft, and intensely sweet.
About ten minutes before the onions are done roasting, start boiling water for your pasta. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water and cook the bow tie pasta according to the package directions. Before draining, reserve about half a cup of the pasta water.
Once your onions have finished roasting, take the dish out of the oven and carefully remove the foil. Use a towel to hold the garlic bulb and squeeze out the soft, roasted garlic directly into the onion mixture. Then, stir in the Boursin cheese while the onions are still hot so it melts easily. Add the freshly cooked, hot pasta and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until the sauce clings beautifully to each piece of pasta.
At this stage, taste and adjust if needed. You can garnish the final dish with fresh basil, Parmigiano cheese, or even a drizzle of chili oil to give it a little kick.
How to Serve Onion Pasta
This onion pasta is best served warm, right after it’s been tossed together. You can dish it into individual bowls or present it family-style in a large serving dish. Top each serving with a sprinkle of Parmigiano cheese or a few torn basil leaves for a fresh touch. If you enjoy heat, a little drizzle of chili oil adds contrast to the creamy base. This pasta pairs well with a crisp side salad or steamed green vegetables for balance.
For a more filling meal, you can also pair this with a protein such as grilled tofu or roasted chickpeas. Serve it alongside crusty bread to soak up the sauce and complete the experience. Whether you’re hosting a dinner or treating yourself to a cozy meal, this pasta creates a sense of comfort and elegance in every bite.
Expert Tips: Onion Pasta
- Always use a baking dish that gives your onions space to roast, not steam. If they’re too crowded, they won’t caramelize properly.
- Stir the onions once or twice while roasting to ensure even browning and prevent sticking.
- Use high-quality sun-dried tomatoes to add a punch of flavor. The jarred variety packed in oil usually brings out the best taste.
- When roasting garlic, make sure to drizzle it with oil and keep it covered so it becomes soft and spreadable.
- Save your pasta water before draining. That starchy water helps bind the sauce to the pasta and gives the dish a silky finish.
- Add the Boursin cheese while the mixture is still warm so it melts into the sauce smoothly.
How to Store Onion Pasta
If you have leftovers, allow the pasta to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, reheat it in a pan over medium heat. Add a small splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce and prevent it from drying out. Avoid microwaving in plastic containers, and opt for glass or ceramic when possible. The flavor deepens after a day, so leftovers can be even more delicious.
Variation of Onion Pasta
You can easily adjust this recipe to suit your taste or the ingredients you have on hand. Instead of yellow onions, try red onions or even shallots for a slightly different flavor. Fresh tomatoes can replace the sun-dried ones for a lighter, juicier version. If you like a briny edge, stir in a few chopped olives or capers.
For a richer sauce, double the Boursin cheese or stir in a spoonful of cream cheese. Add sautéed mushrooms for an earthy depth or throw in spinach at the end for a pop of green. Want to make it gluten-free? Simply use gluten-free pasta. The beauty of this dish is how flexible and forgiving it is—making it a reliable favorite you can change up as needed.
FAQ about Onion Pasta
What makes onion pasta so flavorful? Caramelized onions are the key. Roasting them slowly in the oven brings out their natural sweetness and depth, creating a rich, savory base for the dish.
Can I use a different type of pasta? Yes, you can use any shape of pasta you like—penne, spaghetti, or fusilli all work well. Just be sure to cook it al dente.
How do I store leftovers? Place cooled pasta in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently on the stove with a bit of added liquid to keep it creamy.
Can I make this vegan? Absolutely. Swap the Boursin cheese for your favorite plant-based cheese spread and skip the Parmigiano garnish or use a vegan alternative.
Is this recipe kid-friendly? Yes. The natural sweetness of the caramelized onions makes this a favorite with kids too. Just adjust the chili oil or skip it for younger eaters.
Can I prep this ahead? Yes, you can roast the onions and garlic ahead of time, then store them in the fridge. Reheat and mix with freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve.
Onion Pasta
Equipment
- Baking Dish
- Large Pot
Ingredients
- 3 each yellow onions sliced into rings
- 1/2 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- 1 tablespoon olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes jarred, packed in oil and/or water
- 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 bulb garlic top cut off
- 200 grams bow tie pasta
- 30 grams Boursin cheese (1/4 package)
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
- Parmigiano cheese for garnish (optional)
- Chili oil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large baking dish, combine sliced onions, balsamic glaze, olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Mix well.
- Place the garlic bulb in the center of the dish and drizzle it with olive oil. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, stirring the mixture 2-3 times during roasting.
- About 10 minutes before the onions are done, boil salted water in a pot and cook the bow tie pasta according to package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Once the onions are roasted, remove the foil and squeeze the soft garlic into the onion mixture. Stir in the Boursin cheese while the mixture is still hot.
- Add the cooked pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water, tossing everything together until the pasta is well coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with fresh basil, Parmigiano cheese, or a drizzle of chili oil before serving.