The 5-Star Pasta Recipe That You Won't Want to Stop Making | Vegan and Vegetarian Meal Ideas

chili oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil with chili flakes

💰Cheaper: canola oil with chili flakes

Olive oil with chili flakes offers a healthier fat option.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is a dairy-free alternative with a cheesy flavor.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is a dairy-free option that adds richness.

fresh basil

🥗Healthier: spinach

💰Cheaper: dried basil

Spinach adds color and nutrients, while dried basil is more economical.

Chop several onions and several cloves of garlic, ensuring onions are uniform in size for even caramelization.

Start boiling water for pasta about 10 to 15 minutes before the sauce is completed.

Reserve about a half cup to a cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.

Heat a stainless steel skillet over medium to low heat for caramelizing the onions.

Add chopped onions to the skillet and cook until caramelized, stirring occasionally and being patient throughout the process.

Add salt to the onions while they cook to enhance flavor.

Once the onions are caramelized, add the reserved pasta water to deglaze the skillet and incorporate all flavors.

Add 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning to the skillet to enhance the flavor profile of the dish.

If desired, adjust the spiciness by adding less or no chili flakes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens