Description
A creamy and flavorful Vegan Caramelized Onion Pasta that combines sweet, slow-cooked onions with a rich, plant-based sauce. This dish is perfect for a comforting yet healthy weeknight dinner, using simple ingredients like olive oil, nutritional yeast, and herbs to create a satisfying vegan meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz (340g) pasta of your choice (spaghetti or fettuccine recommended)
Caramelized Onion 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: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Heat Olive Oil: While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Caramelize Onions: Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions start to brown, about 15-20 minutes. If desired, add sugar at this point to enhance caramelization.
- Add Garlic: Once the onions are caramelized, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Deglaze with Balsamic Vinegar: Add the balsamic vinegar to the onions and cook for 1-2 minutes until the liquid reduces.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce heat to low and pour in the plant-based milk. Stir in the nutritional yeast, dried thyme, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using.
- Simmer Sauce: Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to slightly thicken. Add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat each strand with the sauce.
- Finish with Olive Oil: Remove from heat and drizzle on the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and vegan parmesan if desired before serving.
Notes
- You can use any pasta type but spaghetti or fettuccine works best for this recipe.
- Adding sugar helps speed up and deepen the caramelization of onions but is optional.
- Unsweetened plant-based milk like almond or soy is ideal to keep the sauce creamy and vegan.
- If the sauce gets too thick, reserve pasta water helps loosen it without losing flavor.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your heat preference or omit for no spice.
- Vegan parmesan is optional but adds a nice finishing touch.
