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Jewish Kasha Varnishkes Recipe

Bowtie pasta, nutty toasted buckwheat, and a heap of golden caramelized onions—kasha varnishkes is the dish your carb-loving soul has been waiting for. An Ashkenazi Jewish staple that was built for big appetites and cold weather. It’s hearty, wholesome, and tastes like it came straight from a Brooklyn deli—minus the line and the guy yelling orders in the background.

Prep Time
6 mins
Cook Time
6 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6 (12 cups)
Calories: 357 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Israeli

Ingredients

The Pasta:
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 12 oz. Farfalle bow ties pasta
The Onions (& Optional Mushrooms):
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cups yellow onion diced
  • 8 ounces cremini or oyster mushrooms, sliced (optional)
The Kasha:
  • 1 ¼ cup Kasha
  • 1 teaspoon garlic minced
  • 2 ¾ cups unsalted vegetable stock or water
  • 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Optional Garnishes:
  • vegan sour cream
  • thinly sliced chives
  • parsley leaves

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the salt and farfalle, then cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown, 9-10 minutes. If using mushrooms, add them during the last 5 minutes of cooking and sauté until tender. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add the kasha and toast over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
  4. Add the minced garlic and cook for 60 seconds.
  5. Pour in the vegetable stock, add the salt and black pepper, and bring to a simmer.
  6. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 12-14 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the kasha is tender.
  7. Add the cooked pasta and onion mixture to the skillet with the kasha. Stir gently to combine and warm through. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Serve with vegan sour cream, garnished with chives or parsley, if using.

Notes

  • 🎭 Les Oignons Misérables:
  • Take the time to caramelize the onions until they’re deeply golden and sweet—this is where a lot of the flavor comes from.
  • Take the time to caramelize the onions until they’re deeply golden and sweet—this is where a lot of the flavor comes from.
  • 🎯 Kasha Me If You Can:
  • Even if your kasha is pre-toasted, toss it in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes before adding liquid. This keeps the grains separate and brings out a richer, nuttier flavor.
  • Even if your kasha is pre-toasted, toss it in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes before adding liquid. This keeps the grains separate and brings out a richer, nuttier flavor.
  • 🛳️ Stock Picks:
  • Cooking kasha in vegetable stock instead of water gives it a deeper, more robust taste. If using salted stock, adjust the added salt in the recipe to keep the seasoning balanced.
  • Cooking kasha in vegetable stock instead of water gives it a deeper, more robust taste. If using salted stock, adjust the added salt in the recipe to keep the seasoning balanced.

Nutrition Information

Calories 357kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 61g (20%) Protein 11g (22%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Sodium 1567mg (65%) Potassium 487mg (14%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 3IU (0%) Vitamin C 8mg (9%) Calcium 52mg (5%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6(12 cups)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 357

% Daily Value*

Calories 357kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 61g 20%
Protein 11g 22%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Sodium 1567mg 65%
Potassium 487mg 10%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 3IU 0%
Vitamin C 8mg 9%
Calcium 52mg 5%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.