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Two plates of a vegan cabbage and onion rigatoni dish are resting on a white surface. The pasta is garnished with flecks of green parsley.
4.34 from 54 votes

20 Healthful Cabbage Dinners and Sides: Cabbage Onion Pasta

Author - Gena Hamshaw
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegan butter (14g; substitute olive oil)
  • 1 large yellow or white onion
  • 1 lb green cabbage (455g; about 1/2 medium-sized head of cabbage, or 5-6 cups)
  • 1 cup vegetable broth (more as needed)
  • 8 slices tempeh bacon (or 4 slices store-bought vegan bacon of choice)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (substitute 1 teaspoon sweet paprika)
  • 8 ounces medium-shape pasta of choice (225g)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Splash white balsamic vinegar (Optional and to taste; red balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar is also fine)
  • 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or as needed)

Instructions

Prep your vegetables

  • Cut the onion in half and slice it thinly. Chop, shred, or thinly slice the cabbage (you can use a food processor to speed this step up).
    Vegetables have been prepared for a pasta recipe. They're laid out in clear bowls on a white surface.

Caramelize the onions and cabbage

  • Heat the oil or butter in a large, roomy skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion.
    White onions are thinly sliced and about to be sautéed in a gray frying pan.
  • Cook, stirring every now and then, for 8-10 minutes, or until the onions are gently browning and translucent.
    A gray frying pan contains lightly browned onions.
  • Add the bacon and sauté for 1 minute more.
    A white frying pan holds vegan bacon and caramelized onions.
  • Add the cabbage, 1 cup vegetable broth, and smoked paprika.
    A large gray sauté pan has just been filled with sliced cabbage.
  • Continue cooking the vegetables for 10 minutes, stirring often, or until the onions have darkened and the cabbage is very tender. If the vegetables get at all dry, add a few extra splashes of broth.
    Cabbage, onions, and vegan bacon have been cooked down in a large, gray sauté pan.

Prepare the pasta

  • While the onions and cabbage caramelize, cook the pasta according to package instructions. When the pasta and vegetables are both ready, drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water. Add both the pasta and a half cup the pasta water to the skillet.
    Cooked pasta has just been added to a skillet with sautéed vegetables.
  • Warm all of the ingredients through. Taste, and then add salt, pepper, and/or vinegar to your liking. If the mixture gets a little dry, add some more of the pasta water. Serve the pasta, with chopped parsley if you like.
    A caramelized cabbage & onion dish has just been prepared in a large, gray skillet.