Description
Creamy Caramelized Onion Pasta is an indulgent yet vegan-friendly comfort meal. Sweet, deeply caramelized onions are simmered in a rich and velvety cream sauce, then tossed with your favorite pasta and finished with zesty chili oil and a sprinkle of parsley. This recipe is perfect for weeknights or special occasions and can be flexibly made with or without dairy.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz pasta of choice
For the Caramelized Onions
- 3–4 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp vegan butter or regular butter (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce & Seasonings
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup oat cream or heavy cream
- 1 cup vegan Parmesan or regular Parmesan, grated
- 2 tbsp chili oil (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Finishing Touches
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat olive oil and (if using) butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, a big pinch of salt, and a little pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until starting to soften. Add the garlic, then reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for another 25–30 minutes until the onions are deeply golden and caramelized. If the onions begin to stick or dry out, add a splash of water to loosen.
- Boil the Pasta: While the onions are caramelizing, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Add Seasonings and Cream: Stir the smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and dried oregano into the caramelized onions. Pour in the oat cream or heavy cream and sprinkle in the Parmesan. Simmer the sauce over low heat for 5–7 minutes, adding reserved pasta water as needed for a luxurious, creamy texture.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy onion sauce. Toss well to coat the noodles evenly, adding more pasta water if needed to achieve your desired consistency. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Finish & Serve: Transfer the pasta to serving bowls. Drizzle generously with chili oil and top with freshly chopped parsley for color and freshness. Serve immediately for maximum creaminess.
Notes
- Onions can be caramelized in advance and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Feel free to substitute oat cream and vegan Parmesan with dairy versions as per preference.
- Regular, gluten-containing pasta or gluten-free pasta both work beautifully.
- Taste and adjust chili oil according to your heat preference.
- Leftovers keep well and can be reheated gently with a splash of water or cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Modern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg