Description
Savor the heartwarming embrace of this ultimate comfort recipe that blends rich flavors and nostalgic memories. Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a soul-satisfying dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) dried orecchiette pasta
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) beef broth
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) water
- 3 yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) olive oil
- Fresh herbs (optional)
- Toasted breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the flavor foundation by slowly transforming onions into a rich, golden-brown caramel using olive oil over medium heat. Sprinkle with salt and stir consistently for 25-30 minutes until deeply caramelized and intensely sweet.
- Introduce minced garlic, sliced mushrooms, and fragrant thyme into the caramelized onion base. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, allowing mushrooms to release moisture and develop a deep, earthy flavor.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Incorporate flour and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes to create a smooth, thickened sauce with complex layers of flavor.
- Pour in broth and water, seasoning with salt and black pepper. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil, then add pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring intermittently to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
- Remove from heat and brighten the dish with a splash of sherry vinegar. Transfer to serving plates and optionally garnish with fresh herbs and crispy toasted breadcrumbs for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Low and slow is the secret to achieving those rich, sweet caramelized onions without burning them.
- Pat mushrooms dry before sautéing to ensure they brown beautifully instead of steaming in the pan.
- Swap wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to make the dish celiac-friendly.
- Use a combination of fresh and dried herbs to layer deeper, more complex taste profiles in the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg