Italian Braised Onion Sauce (Il Friggione) with pasta
Italian Braised Onion Sauce, known as Il Friggione, features a slow-cooked blend of thinly sliced onions and tomatoes that meld into a rich, soft sauce. The recipe uses a simple maceration of onions with salt and sugar before gently cooking them until softened, then braising with tomatoes for a deep, savory flavor. It's served with garganelli or other tubular pasta, allowing the sauce to cling well and create a comforting dish. The long cooking develops sweetness and umami from the onions and tomatoes without overwhelming seasoning.
Ingredients
- 2.5 kg onion 5.5 lbs, white
- 200 g tomatoes 7oz) fresh or canned, peeled
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (or lard for traditional non-vegetarian version)
- salt for onions, pasta and to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar for onions
- black pepper to taste, ground
Pasta
- 400 g garganelli pasta (14oz) or other pasta tube
Instructions
- Peel and thinly slice the onions. ( you can use a mandoline slicer for this). Put the onions in a glass or ceramic bowl and add a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of sugar. Mix together well and leave to macerate for 2-4 hours. (Mix occasionally)
- Heat the olive oil or lard in a deep heavy pan ( I used my Dutch oven) Add the onions with the liquid they produced and cook until the liquid evaporates and the onions soften.
- Add the tomatoes. Mix everything together well and cook over a low heat for 1.5-2 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. If necessary add a little water.
- Once the sauce is ready. Put a pot of water onto boil for the pasta. Add salt when the water starts to boil and bring to the boil again. Cook pasta according to the instructions on the packet. When the pasta is ready save a cup of the cooking water and drain.
- Return the pasta to the pot and add some of the braised onion sauce. (You will probably have more than you need) Mix well over a low heat for a minute or two and serve with grated parmigiano and chopped parsley if required.
Notes
- Garganelli pasta is traditional, but other tube-shaped or tagliatelle pasta can be used.
- Onions are macerated with salt and sugar for several hours before cooking to enhance sweetness.
- Cooking times may be adjusted; onions can be softened first before adding tomatoes to reduce total braising time.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 695
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 695kcal | 35% |
| Carbohydrates | 136g | 45% |
| Protein | 20g | 40% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Sodium | 103mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 1230mg | 26% |
| Fiber | 14g | 56% |
| Sugar | 31g | 62% |
| Vitamin A | 71IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 51mg | 57% |
| Calcium | 180mg | 18% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.