Creamy Penne Pasta with Caramelized Onions and Pine Nuts
This satisfying pasta dish is loaded with flavor and texture. It's on the table in 30 minutes, making it a good weeknight meal option. We like to serve this with a simple side salad. This recipe makes 4 servings.
prep time
5 minutes
cook time
25 minutes
Ingredients
2 cups uncooked penne pasta
1 large yellow onion, peeled and sliced
4 ounces ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces toasted pine nuts (*see cook's note)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Freshly grated parmesan, for serving
1 large yellow onion, peeled and sliced
4 ounces ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces toasted pine nuts (*see cook's note)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Freshly grated parmesan, for serving
Directions
Cook pasta in salted water to al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
Heat butter and oil in a large, heavy skillet to medium on the stove top. Add onions and cook, stirring every few minutes, until the onions are fragrant and turn a caramel color. Salt the last few minutes of cooking.
Once onions are caramelized, add pasta, pasta water, pine nuts and ricotta to the pan; fold gently to combine. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning, garnish with parmesan and serve immediately.
*Cook's note: the easiest way to toast pine nuts is on the stove top. Heat a small skillet to medium-low and add pine nuts. Cook, stirring every 30 seconds, until the nuts become fragrant and slightly brown. Do not walk away from the nuts while you're toasting them -- they burn quickly. Once toasted, remove from heat immediately. The entire process should take 3-4 minutes.
Heat butter and oil in a large, heavy skillet to medium on the stove top. Add onions and cook, stirring every few minutes, until the onions are fragrant and turn a caramel color. Salt the last few minutes of cooking.
Once onions are caramelized, add pasta, pasta water, pine nuts and ricotta to the pan; fold gently to combine. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning, garnish with parmesan and serve immediately.
*Cook's note: the easiest way to toast pine nuts is on the stove top. Heat a small skillet to medium-low and add pine nuts. Cook, stirring every 30 seconds, until the nuts become fragrant and slightly brown. Do not walk away from the nuts while you're toasting them -- they burn quickly. Once toasted, remove from heat immediately. The entire process should take 3-4 minutes.
Looking for inspiration? Try these recipes:
Lyonnaise Potatoes
Carolyn Quilici’s Red Meat Sauce
Smoked Salmon Spread
