One Pot French Onion Pasta

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth)
• 2 cups water
• 12 oz dried orecchiette or other short-cut pasta
• 1 tbsp sherry vinegar
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs and toasted breadcrumbs for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Caramelize the Onions:

   • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
   • Once shimmering, add the onions and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are deeply caramelized, about 25-30 minutes.

2. Add Garlic, Mushrooms, and Thyme:

   • Add the minced garlic, sliced mushrooms, and fresh thyme to the skillet.
   • Sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until the mushrooms begin to soften.

3. Deglaze and Thicken:

   • Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.
   • Add the flour and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the mixture thickens.

4. Simmer the Pasta:

   • Pour in the beef broth (or vegetable broth) and water. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
   • Bring to a boil, then add the pasta. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente (note that cooking times may vary with different pasta shapes).

5. Finish and Serve:

   • Turn off the heat and stir in the sherry vinegar.
   • Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs and toasted breadcrumbs if desired.

Enjoy your rich and flavorful pasta dish!