Description
This Vegan Caramelized Onion Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring sweet caramelized onions simmered in a creamy plant-based sauce, tossed with al dente pasta. Enhanced with nutritional yeast and herbs, it’s a perfect dairy-free meal that’s simple yet satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz (340g) pasta of your choice (spaghetti or fettuccine recommended)
Caramelized Onions & Sauce
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk (such as almond or soy milk)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Vegan parmesan, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Heat Oil: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in preparation for caramelizing the onions.
- Caramelize Onions: Add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes until onions turn golden brown and caramelized. Optionally add sugar at this stage to enhance sweetness.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Deglaze: Pour in the balsamic vinegar and cook for 1-2 minutes to reduce the liquid and deepen flavor.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Lower heat to low and add the plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, dried thyme, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using.
- Simmer Sauce: Let the sauce gently simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly. If the sauce becomes too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat each strand with the creamy onion sauce.
- Finish: Remove the skillet from heat and drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the pasta. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and vegan parmesan if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using sugar helps accelerate caramelization but can be omitted for a more natural sweetness.
- Adjust the consistency of the sauce with reserved pasta water to your preference.
- Vegan parmesan is optional but adds a nice cheesy flavor.
- Crushed red pepper flakes add heat; omit if sensitive to spice.
- Try pairing this dish with a simple green salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan, Italian-inspired
