This rich and savory Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Pasta is perfect for date night. It has a balance of flavors.
I am in love with caramelized onions. If they didn't take so long to cook, I'd probably make them more often. Their sweet rich flavor takes ordinary dishes to a whole new level.
Sometimes the simplest meals are the best ones. That is the case here. This vegan Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Pasta is super easy to make.
Yes, it takes some time to caramelize onions, but man is it worth it.
Red wine adds another dimension of flavor. Mushrooms go well with caramelized onions, adding an umami flavor.
You could also use other veggies, like asparagus or bell pepper.
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🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Pasta: I used brown rice gluten-free pasta noodles. Use your favorite pasta.
- Olive oil: For cooking the onions.
- Onion: I used yellow onions. You could also use sweet onions, just keep in mind the caramelized onions will be even even sweeter and you may not want to add the brown sugar.
- Brown sugar: Adds sweetness to the caramelized onions. You could also use balsamic vinegar, which I've used in the past.
- Mushrooms: I used baby bella (cremini mushrooms). You could also use portobello mushrooms or your favorite.
- Red wine: Use a red wine that you would actually drink. It doesn't have to be expensive, just flavorful and decent quality.
- Nutritional yeast: Adds a cheesy flavor. You could also use store-bought vegan parmesan cheese. It's optional.
- Parsley: For topping. Adds a fresh note.
- Salt and pepper: Enhances flavors and adds flavor.
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🔪 Instructions
- Boil pasta in a large pot according to directions, making sure to add salt to the water. Drain the salted water and set aside.
- Slice onions and mushrooms about ⅛" thick.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions. Season with salt.
- They will soften up as they cook. It will take a good 35-40 minutes.
- If they take start to stick add a little water, like a quarter of a cup or so at a time.
- Balsamic vinegar adds a wonderful flavor. I always add a couple of splashes near or at the end of the cooking time. Alternatively you can add a couple of pinches of sugar or brown sugar.
- Add sliced mushrooms to the onions. Season with pepper.
- Cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add red wine. Cook a few minutes until the wine cooks down and is absorbed into the onions and mushrooms.
- Serve over cooked pasta, or toss so that the pasta gets all the sauce absorbed into it.
🥡 Storage
This onion mushroom pasta recipe will last 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
💭 Tips
- When making caramelized onions, slow and steady wins the race. For caramelized onions you need some patience. It takes a good 35-40 minutes to get nicely caramelized onions.
- Use a wine that you would actually drink (and since you don't use much for this recipe, you'll be drinking it).
- Don't forget to salt your pasta water!
🍽 Serving
Other Onion Mushroom Recipes
Caramelized onions take everything you put them on to the next level. Add in some baby bella mushrooms and you have a rich vegan pasta. No need to eat out when you have this easy dish!
*I originally posted this recipe August 29, 2015. I added new photos and text when I republished it.
*Don't forget to come back and leave your feedback and star rating.
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🧂 You May Need
📋 Recipe
Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz. brown rice noodles
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 4 cups sliced onion
- 2 pinches salt
- 2 pinches brown sugar or 2 splashes balsamic vinegar
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms - I used baby bella
- pepper to taste
- ½ cup red wine
- nutritional yeast or parsley for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to directions.
- Heat olive oil in a pan at medium heat and add sliced onion. Add salt.
- Stir the onions every five minutes or so. Cooking will take about 35-40 minutes. Add the brown sugar or balsamic vinegar the last 5 minutes.
- Add sliced mushrooms and pepper. Cook until tender. Add the red wine and cook a few more minutes, until wine is cooked down. Serve over cooked pasta.
- Top with nutritional yeast and serve.
Nutrition
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
Angie says
That sounds so delish!
juliab412 says
This looks wonderful and so simple to make; I'll definitely be trying this!
♡ Julia
Willow Moon says
I am always amazed at how the simplest dishes are some of my favorites!
Candy Kage says
We love this recipe. Over rice, steak, noodles can't go wrong.
Willow Moon says
I think anything with caramelized onions is sure thing!