Description
A rich and comforting one-pot French onion pasta recipe featuring deeply caramelized onions, savory mushrooms, fresh thyme, and tender orecchiette pasta cooked in a flavorful broth and finished with a splash of sherry vinegar for brightness. Perfect for an easy, hearty weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
Liquids & Seasonings
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth)
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp sherry vinegar
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Pasta & Garnish
- 12 oz dried orecchiette or other short cut pasta
- Fresh herbs and toasted breadcrumbs for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the thinly sliced onions along with a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 25-30 minutes until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, developing a rich, sweet flavor.
- Sauté Mushrooms and Garlic: Add the minced garlic, sliced cremini mushrooms, and fresh thyme to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the mushrooms begin to soften and the garlic is fragrant.
- Deglaze & Thicken: Pour in the dry white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens to a light roux.
- Add Broth and Pasta: Pour in the beef or vegetable broth along with water. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add the dried orecchiette pasta. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish & Serve: Turn off the heat and stir in the sherry vinegar for a bright, tangy finish. Serve the pasta warm, optionally garnished with fresh herbs and toasted breadcrumbs for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- The caramelization of onions requires patience but is key to developing the deep flavor in this dish.
- You can substitute the beef broth with vegetable broth to make the recipe vegetarian.
- If you prefer, use other short pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni, but adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Adding fresh thyme enhances the aromatic profile, but dried thyme can be used if fresh is unavailable.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta and a suitable flour substitute to thicken.
- Optional garnishes like toasted breadcrumbs add a delightful crunch and fresh herbs brighten the final dish.
