Trader Joe’s Caramelized Onion Pasta with Crunchy Chili Onion
This Trader Joe’s Caramelized Onion Pasta with Chili Onion Crunch is our take on the viral pasta trend that completely took over social media. Several versions of this recipe exploded online, racking up 23.1 million views, 44.6 million views, and 7.1 million views just to name a few of the top performing videos. When I saw how many millions of people were making it, I knew we needed a full Trader Joe’s version.
Caramelized Onion Pasta
If you love easy pasta recipes made with simple store bought shortcuts, you will also want to check out my other Trader Joe’s inspired recipes right here.
The original versions used heavy cream, fresh garlic, and Parmesan cheese to create that silky sauce. We swapped all of that out and used an entire container of Trader Joe’s Garlic Spread Dip instead. I tested this recipe twice to make sure the creaminess matched what the heavy cream originally brought to the dish, and using the full container was the perfect balance. It melts right into the caramelized onions and creates the most luscious, flavorful sauce.
What You Will Love About This Recipe
It is made almost entirely with Trader Joe’s ingredients
The sauce is rich and creamy without using heavy cream
The caramelized onions bring incredible depth of flavor
It feels fancy but is actually very simple to make
It is ready in about 30 minutes
You can easily adjust the spice level
It tastes like something you would order at a restaurant
Trader Joe’s Caramelized Onion Pasta with Crunchy Chili Onion
2 TBSP Olive Oil
2 TBSP Salted Butter
2 large yellow onions, sliced
1-2 TBSP Trader Joe’s Crunchy Chili Onion
1 8 oz Trader Joe’s Garlic Spread Dip
10 oz Spaghetti
1 cup (or more too taste) of reserved pasta water
Parsley for garnish
Start by heating olive oil and butter over low to medium heat. Add thinly sliced onions and slowly caramelize them for about 20 to 25 minutes. Keep the heat low once they begin to brown and stir often. You want deep golden, not burnt.
While the onions are cooking, Cook 10 oz spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve at least 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Once caramelized, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of Trader Joe’s Crunchy Chili Onion.
Add the container of Trader Joe’s Garlic Spread Dip. Let it melt into the onions. It will loosen as it heats.
Add pasta water to thin and emulsify the sauce. Start with about ½ a cup and add more until you get to your desired consistency.
Add your al dente pasta directly into the sauce and let it cook together for a couple of minutes so it coats everything.
Finish with chopped parsley & a drizzle of Crunchy Chili Onion
Tips & Tricks
- Caramelize the onions low and slow. Do not rush this step. Deep golden onions are what give this pasta its signature flavor. If they start to brown too quickly, lower the heat and stir more often.
- Use the entire 8 ounce container of Trader Joe’s Garlic Spread Dip. This replaces the heavy cream and Parmesan from the original viral versions and gives you that same rich, silky texture.
- Reserve more pasta water than you think you need. Start with about half a cup, then add more as needed until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. The starch in the pasta water helps emulsify the sauce and makes it cling beautifully to the pasta.
- If you are sensitive to spice, start with just 1 tablespoon of Trader Joe’s Crunchy Chili Onion and lightly drizzle a little on top for garnish. You can always add more, but you cannot take it away. Anyone drawn to this recipe likely enjoys the chili onion crunch, but it is easy to adjust.
- Let the pasta finish cooking in the sauce for a couple of minutes. This helps everything marry together and gives you that creamy, glossy finish.
FAQs
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When reheating, add a small splash of water to help loosen the sauce and bring back that creamy texture. Warm it gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave in short intervals, stirring in between. This pasta is best enjoyed fresh, but it reheats surprisingly well when you take your time.
Trader Joe’s Caramelized Onion Pasta with Crunchy Chili Onion
Ingredients
- 2 TBSP Olive Oil
- 2 TBSP Salted Butter
- 2 large yellow onions, sliced
- 1-2 TBSP Trader Joe’s Crunchy Chili Onion
- 1 8 oz Trader Joe’s Garlic Spread Dip
- 10 oz Spaghetti
- 1 cup (or more too taste) of reserved pasta water
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Start by heating olive oil and butter over low to medium heat. Add thinly sliced onions and slowly caramelize them for about 20 to 25 minutes. Keep the heat low once they begin to brown and stir often. You want deep golden, not burnt.
- While the onions are cooking, Cook 10 oz spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve at least 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Once caramelized, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of Trader Joe’s Crunchy Chili Onion.
- Add the container of Trader Joe’s Garlic Spread Dip. Let it melt into the onions. It will loosen as it heats.
- Add pasta water to thin and emulsify the sauce. Start with about ½ a cup and add more until you get to your desired consistency.
- Add your al dente pasta directly into the sauce and let it cook together for a couple of minutes so it coats everything.
- Finish with chopped parsley & a drizzle of Crunchy Chili Onion
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
