Description
This Vegan Caramelized Onion Pasta features deeply caramelized onions blended with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy vegan sauce. Tossed with orecchiette pasta and fresh parsley, it’s a rich, flavorful plant-based dinner perfect for any weeknight.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Onion Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
- Water, for deglazing the pan
- 5 cloves garlic, sliced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/4 cup julienned sun-dried tomatoes, jarred packed in oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 cup store bought or homemade vegan cream
For the Pasta and Garnish
- 2 cups dry Orecchiette pasta (or 4 servings of your favorite pasta)
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/4 cup freshly minced parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once warm, add the thinly sliced onions with a pinch of salt. Sauté, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes, until you notice brown streaks forming. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water to deglaze the pan and continue cooking the onions, adding small splashes of water as needed to prevent sticking or burning. Cook until the onions become a deep golden brown, about 15 minutes.
- Sauté Garlic and Season: Add the sliced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the caramelized onions. Sauté together until the garlic is cooked through and the onions are jammy and soft, about 3-4 minutes. Continue deglazing the pan as needed with water.
- Cook the Pasta: While the onions cook, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Combine Sauce and Pasta: To the onion mixture, add the sun-dried tomatoes, balsamic glaze, soy sauce, vegan cream, and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir well to combine. Fold in the drained pasta and minced parsley, adding more pasta water as needed to reach your desired creaminess.
- Serve: Serve the pasta warm as is or pair it with your favorite protein like roasted chickpeas or tofu for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content if desired.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute orecchiette with gluten-free pasta.
- If you don’t have balsamic glaze, reduce balsamic vinegar until syrupy before using.
- Monitor the onions closely while caramelizing to avoid burning.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it is key to adjusting the sauce’s consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: vegan pasta, caramelized onion pasta, creamy vegan pasta, plant-based dinner, orecchiette recipe, easy vegan dinner, Italian vegan recipe
