Description
This Creamy Vegan Caramelized Onion Pasta combines sweet, jammy onions with a velvety oat-based cream sauce, vegan Parmesan, and a touch of chili oil for gentle heat. Cozy yet elegant, it’s a plant-based comfort dish that’s both simple and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 3–4 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp vegan butter or regular butter (optional)
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup oat cream (or heavy cream)
- 1 cup vegan Parmesan (or regular Parmesan)
- 2 tbsp chili oil
- Seasonings: smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, sweet paprika, salt, black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Caramelize the onions: Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions, season with salt and pepper, and cook 5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and sugar. Add a splash of water and cook low and slow for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and jammy. Deglaze with water as needed.
- Cook the pasta: While onions cook, boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Make the sauce: To the onions, add chili oil, spices, oat cream, and vegan Parmesan. Simmer 5–7 minutes until thickened. Loosen with pasta water if needed.
- Combine: Toss the pasta with the sauce until well coated. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan before serving hot.
Notes
- Make it gluten-free by swapping the pasta for a GF variety.
- Use coconut or soy cream if oat cream isn’t available.
- For less spice, omit the chili oil.
- Boost protein with sautéed mushrooms or crispy tofu.
- Add spinach or kale at the end for extra greens.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan, Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
