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Creamy Vegan Caramelized Onion Pasta

A fork lifting creamy fettuccine noodles from a bowl of caramelized onion pasta, topped with herbs and crispy bits.
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Make a rich, savory pasta dish featuring deeply caramelized sweet onions in a smooth cashew cream sauce. This recipe is simple enough for a weeknight.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (linguine or fettuccine recommended)
  • 4 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for water
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 30 minutes
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Soak cashews in hot water for at least 30 minutes. Drain before use.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and 1 teaspoon of salt.
  3. Cook the onions slowly, stirring every 5 to 10 minutes, for 40 to 50 minutes until they are deep brown and sweet. Do not rush this step.
  4. While onions cook, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve at least 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  5. While the pasta cooks, prepare the cream sauce. Combine the drained cashews, reserved pasta water, nutritional yeast, minced garlic, thyme, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice in a high-speed blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
  6. Add the blended sauce to the pot with the caramelized onions. Stir to combine over low heat.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the sauce mixture. Toss well until every strand is coated. Add more pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, if the sauce is too thick.
  8. Season with black pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a French Onion inspired flavor, add 1/4 cup of dry white wine to the onions after they have softened, scraping up any browned bits before continuing to caramelize.
  • If you prefer a non-vegan version, substitute the cashew cream with 1 cup of heavy cream and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, added at the end.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a spicy kick.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savoryskies.com/caramelized-onion-pasta-creamy-vegan-recipe/