Description
This caramelized cabbage pasta is the pasta night hack you'll wish you knew years ago - an entire half head of green cabbage practically melts into cozy, garlicky spaghetti! Just 5 simple ingredients, vegan and gluten-free.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 medium green cabbage, thinly shredded on the mandoline on level 1 (about 10 cups)
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more if needed
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 4 large cloves garlic, pressed through a garlic press, divided
- 8 ounces spaghetti pasta (I use gluten-free)
Optional garnishes:
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- Fresh basil
- Vegan parmesan
- Drizzle of vegan heavy cream
Instructions
- Remove the core from the cabbage half, cut it into quarters, and shred each quarter on a mandoline on level 1 (the thinnest setting), starting from the tip. You should have about 10 cups of shredded cabbage.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shredded cabbage, salt and 2 cloves of the pressed garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally and reducing the heat as needed to prevent burning, until the cabbage is significantly reduced in volume, soft and lightly caramelized, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then drain.
- Add the cooked pasta and the remaining 2 cloves of pressed garlic to the skillet with the cabbage. Toss to combine. If the pasta looks dry, add an additional drizzle of olive oil and/or the reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Season with additional salt to taste.
- Serve in bowls with pine nuts, fresh basil and vegan parmesan, if desired.
Notes
- The 10 cups of shredded cabbage will look like a lot at first, but it cooks down significantly in the skillet.
- If you do not have a mandoline, slice the cabbage as thinly as possible with a sharp knife. The texture will be slightly less delicate.
- A splash of the reserved pasta water makes the finished dish creamier without any added ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American