Description
A creamy and flavorful caramelized onion pasta featuring tender onions cooked to golden perfection and tossed with a smooth cashew cream sauce. This vegetarian dish is perfect for a comforting meal that balances savory sweetness and rich textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Caramelized Onions
- 2 large onions
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
Pasta
- 4.5 ounces dry fettuccine pasta
Cashew Cream
- 3/4 cup raw cashews soaked overnight
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
Instructions
- Slice the onions: Peel the onions and slice them into 1/8-inch thick (3 mm) slices for even caramelization.
- Sauté the onions: Heat oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt, sauté for 5-6 minutes while stirring regularly until onions start turning light golden brown.
- Season and caramelize: Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and sugar to the onions. Continue sautéing for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown.
- Deglaze the skillet: Add 2 tablespoons of water to the skillet to release browned bits for extra flavor. Remove skillet from heat and keep onions inside.
- Make the cashew cream: Drain soaked cashews and blend with 1/2 cup water, white vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and nutritional yeast for 20-30 seconds until smooth. Set aside.
- Cook the pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and transfer pasta to the skillet with caramelized onions.
- Combine and cook: Pour cashew cream over pasta and onions. Toss to coat and cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Thin sauce with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Serve: Adjust salt to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil and a sprinkle of black pepper. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Do not overcook the pasta; aim for al dente as it will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Slice onions thinly and evenly at about 1/8 inch thickness for proper caramelization.
- Watch the onions carefully to avoid burning; reduce heat if they brown too quickly.
- Stir onions every 3-5 minutes, allowing them to stick briefly for better caramelization.
- Reserve about 1/3 cup of pasta cooking water to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
