Classic Buttered Noodles with Crispy Onion Topping

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-22 · Updated 2026-04-22

A comforting weeknight meal featuring tender spaghetti tossed in garlic butter, finished with a golden onion crunch. This American-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti, unsalted butter, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 8 oz spaghetti
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup finely sliced yellow onion
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp salt

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1/2 tsp salt and 8 oz spaghetti, stirring to prevent sticking. Cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and foaming. Add 1/2 cup finely sliced yellow onion and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crisp, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
3. Step 3: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until the pasta is coated and the water thickens slightly. Remove from heat, then stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and glossy.