Il Cucinologo
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Pasta with Onions and Breadcrumbs

17/11/2023

Pasta with onions and breadcrumbs is a simple but very tasty dish, typical of the poor cuisine of Southern Italy. Here’s how to prepare it.

Ingredients

  • 320 g of pasta (spaghetti or linguine work well)
  • 3 large onions
  • 100 g of breadcrumbs (preferably stale)
  • Extra virgin olive oil to taste
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper (optional)
  • Chili pepper (optional)
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Abundant fresh parsley (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start by finely chopping the onions. Place a pan on the heat with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and the garlic clove (whole or crushed, depending on your taste). Let the garlic brown and then remove it if you prefer.

  2. Add the chopped onions to the pan and let them sauté over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until they become translucent and soft. If you like, you can also add a pinch of chili pepper.

  3. Meanwhile, in another pan, toast the crumbled breadcrumbs until golden and crispy. You can do this with a drizzle of oil or dry, depending on your taste. When ready, set it aside.

  4. Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water following the times indicated on the package to make it al dente.

  5. When the pasta is ready, drain it and reserve a cup of the cooking water.

  6. Pour the pasta into the pan with the onions, add a bit of the cooking water to combine and mix well.

  7. Plate the pasta, add the toasted breadcrumbs on top, a drizzle of raw oil and, if you like, some fresh chopped parsley.

  8. Serve immediately so that the breadcrumbs maintain their crunchiness.

Curiosities

This is a recipe that follows the spirit of cooking “with what you have”. Onions, always present in household pantries, and breadcrumbs, which were a way not to throw away leftover bread, become the protagonists of a poor dish but extremely rich in flavor. In some variations, there is also a touch of salted anchovies, which melt with the onion sauté, for an additional layer of flavor.