Pasta with bread and onions

Pasta with bread and onions is a simple and rustic dish from Italian tradition, probably born as a recovery recipe in homes where not wasting stale bread was important. Here I propose a basic version of this tasty and comforting dish:

Ingredients

• 200 g of stale bread
• 200 g of short pasta (e.g., ditalini, broken maccheroni, or fusilli)
• 2 large onions
• 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 liter of vegetable or meat broth
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Grated pecorino or Parmigiano cheese to garnish (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by slicing the onions thinly.
2. In a large pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil and add the sliced onions. Let them sauté over medium-low heat until they become soft and translucent.
3. Meanwhile, cut the stale bread into cubes.
4. Once the onions are ready, add the bread cubes to the pan and let them toast lightly, stirring to prevent sticking.
5. Pour the hot broth into the pan, enough to cover the bread and onions. Bring to a gentle boil.
6. Add the pasta to the broth and cook according to package instructions, until al dente. If during cooking the broth reduces too much, you can add a little more.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to your preference.
8. Serve hot, with a sprinkle of grated pecorino or Parmigiano cheese, if desired.

Pasta with bread and onions is a humble dish that lends itself to numerous variations. For example, you could enrich it by adding crispy pancetta, chili pepper to give it a spicy touch, or vegetables like spinach or kale for a more “green” note. In any case, it’s a comforting and nutritious dish perfect for cold days.

Curiosity

Pasta with bread and onions is an example of how in Italian cuisine, nothing goes to waste. Stale bread becomes a valuable ingredient capable of transforming a simple soup into a rich and flavorful dish.