Easy French Onion Pasta

Name: French Onion Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces pasta (cooked, reserving 1 ¼ cups cooking water); Generous drizzle of olive oil; 1 large yellow onion (halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced (about 4 cups)); 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; Pinch of salt; 1/2 cup hummus (plus more to taste); 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (jarred, preserved in oil); 1 tablespoon oil (from sun-dried tomatoes (optional)); 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar; 1 teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce (optional (see notes)); 1 cup chickpeas (drained, and rinsed (optional)); Drizzle of olive oil

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Rigatoni pasta, hummus, sun-dried tomatoes, hummus, baking soda, balsamic vinegar, onion, and garlic on a gray backdrop.

Onions are a vegetable in the allium family. They are low in calories, and high in nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and dietary fiber. Onions also contain antioxidants that may help protect the body against oxidative stress and inflammation. Caramelized onions have a sweet, rich, and savory flavor. They are typically cooked slowly over low heat, allowing the natural sugars in the onions to break down and caramelize, resulting in a deep brown color and a soft, almost buttery texture. However, we are speeding up that process with baking soda in this Easy Onion Pasta recipe!

Sun-dried tomatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, particularly lycopene which is a powerful anti-cancer nutrient. Their sweet-tart flavor balances the sauce perfectly.

Hummus pairs deliciously with pasta. Who would have thought? It is a healthy vegan substitute for the heavy cream typically used in dairy-based cream sauces. Most flavors of hummus are well-suited for this recipe, including traditional, roasted red pepper, lemon garlic, and mediterranean herb. Use homemade or store-bought.

Vegan Worcestershire sauce (not shown) is optional, but gives this dish a true French Onion Soup flavor.

Crispy roasted chickpeas on a white rimmed baking sheet.

See recipe card for quantities.

🧅 Substitutions

Baking soda - if you have the time to wait for the onions to caramelize (about 30 minutes), you can omit this ingredient

Chickpeas - the roasted chickpeas are optional but an easy and delicious way to add protein and iron

Hummus - substitute with blended cashews (cashew cream), blended silken tofu, or vegan cream as desired

Better Than Bouillon Vegetarian No Beef Base and/or vegan Worcestershire sauce - For a true French Onion Soup flavor, but vegan, add 1 teaspoon 'Better Than Bouillon Vegetarian No Beef Base' into the reserved pasta water. Or you can add 1 teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce when you add the hummus. (I use Annie's, and The Wizard's brands.) These ingredients are optional.

For more easy vegan pasta dinners, visit my Vegan Pasta Recipes page.

📖 Instructions

Optional for roasted chickpeas: Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Transfer the chickpeas to a large rimmed nonstick baking sheet. Toss them in a drizzle of olive oil. Cook the chickpeas for 15 minutes, then broil for 2 minutes more, or until golden brown.

Sliced onions, chopped sun-dried tomatoes in a gold measuring cup, and one onion on a gray cutting mat.

Step 1. Slice the onion in half lengthwise, and remove the skin. Slice thinly. Roughly chop the sun-dried tomatoes.

Large stainless steel sauté pan with onions, sun-dried tomatoes, hummus, and pasta water cooking.

Step 2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, and sprinkle with the baking soda. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until golden brown and just softened. Pour in 1 cup pasta water and mix. Add the hummus, and sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer gently.

French onions cooking with sun-dried tomatoes in a large stainless steel saucepan.

Step 3. Add the balsamic vinegar and mix to incorporate. Add more pasta water and/or hummus until the desired taste and consistency.

French onion pasta with crispy roasted chickpeas in a white bowl.

For serving: Top this Easy French Onion Pasta with crispy roasted chickpeas, if using.

💡 Expert Tips

Don't overcook the onions or they will get mushy. Stir them every 3 minutes or so. If you stir them too often, they will not have a chance to brown. Reduce the heat once they have softened and browned.

Press the garlic directly into the pan with a press if you have one. This packs in more flavor than mincing.

Remember to save the pasta cooking water! It is a practical and effective method for thickening the sauce. If you forget to reserve it, use vegetable broth instead.

For a true French Onion Soup flavor, but vegan, add 1 teaspoon 'Better Than Bouillon Vegetarian No Beef Base' into the reserved pasta water. Or you can add 1 teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce when you add the hummus. (I use Annie's, and The Wizard's brands.)

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

What makes French onion flavor?

Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth are commonly used in French Onion Soup. For this vegan version, I recommend adding 1 teaspoon 'Better Than Bouillon Vegetarian No Beef Base' into the reserved pasta water, and/or 1 teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce when you add the hummus. (I use Annie's, and The Wizard brands.) However, these ingredients are optional as this recipe is truly delicious even without them.

What types of onion go well with pasta?

The onions impart a sweetness that balances the flavor profile of the pasta sauce. Shallots, white or yellow onions, cipollini, and pearl onions, will all fill the same role in the overall flavor profile.

Which is the best type of pasta for onion pasta?

Orechiette and rigatoni both hold the sauce well, as do shells, and penne.

📖 Recipe