Parmesan Couscous with Caramelized Onions

Originally published December 1, 2015.

Don’t make another boring side dish. Spice up your family dinner with something new and exciting. My Parmesan Couscous with Caramelized Onions is an easy, healthy recipe that will breathe life into any dinner.

Couscous by itself can be pretty boring. However, this recipe with caramelized onions, Italian herbs and Parmesan cheese is anything but ordinary. It’s the perfect vegetarian side dish you’ll want to make with any meal.

If you want to make your dish completely vegan, simply omit the parmesan cheese or swap it in for your favorite vegan cheese. I often use Go Veggie! cheese in my recipes. There are many different varieties and they are perfect for any recipe that calls for cheese. It’s nice for those of us with a lactose allergy or who lead vegan lifestyles to have an option for cheesy foods. I’m right?!

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED?

• 1 cup Pearl/Israeli Couscous
• 1 ¼ cup water
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 red onion – chopped
• 1 tablespoon dry Italian seasoning or ⅓ cup fresh basil (I created this recipe with both options. It really depends on what you have on hand or prefer).
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 lemon
• salt & pepper to taste

HOW DO I MAKE PARMESAN COUSCOUS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS?

To prepare this super easy, ah-amazing side dish, start by bringing 1¼ cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup Israeli couscous and cook for about 8-10 minutes or until water is absorbed.

I prefer to use Israeli couscous for this recipe because it’s larger and chewy than regular couscous. It gives the dish more of a pasta texture. For anyone who needs to go gluten-free, this recipe can simply be made with quinoa instead. I did it and love it just as much!

While your couscous is cooking, in a separate skillet, begin to sauté olive oil, minced garlic, and red onion. Once the onion is soft and caramelized, add the grated parmesan, Italian seasoning (or fresh basil), salt and pepper and cook for another minute or so.

Turn off heat, stir in cooked couscous, juice of 1 lemon and sprinkle with additional Parmesan if desired.

The Parmesan Couscous with Caramelized Onions is a great side dish for any weekday meal. It’s so good I often make a meal out of it!

Don’t forget to try my Israeli Couscous Salad with Apple. It’s a delicious and refreshing salad made with Israeli couscous, apples, fresh herbs and a lemon vinaigrette.

Parmesan Couscous with Caramelized Onions

Ingredients

• 1 cup Pearl/Israeli Couscous

• 1 ¼ cup water

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

• 1 red onion – chopped

• 1 tablespoon dry Italian seasoning or ⅓ cup fresh basil

• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

• 1 lemon

• salt & pepper to taste

instructions

1. Bring 1 ¼ cup water to a boil.
2. Add 1 cup pearl/Israeli couscous, cook for about 8-10 minutes or until water is absorbed.
3. Sauté olive oil, minced garlic and red onion (chopped) in pan.
4. Once the onion is soft and caramelized, add the Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning (or fresh basil), salt and pepper and cook for about another minute.
5. Turn off heat, stir in cooked couscous, juice of 1 lemon, sprinkle with additional Parmesan if desired.