Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Pasta – A Fancy Meal for $3

Who says gourmet meals have to cost a fortune? This Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Pasta is rich, flavorful, and tastes like something from a fancy Italian restaurant—yet it costs just $3 to make!

The sweetness of slow-cooked caramelized onions, paired with savory mushrooms and a luscious pasta sauce, creates a dish that feels indulgent yet budget-friendly. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy date night or just need a cheap, easy meal, this recipe will impress!

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🍝 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Cheap & Delicious – Costs less than $1 per serving!
✔ Deep, Rich Flavor – Caramelized onions add natural sweetness & umami.
✔ Easy & Fancy – Feels gourmet but requires no special skills.
✔ Meatless & Budget-Friendly – Perfect for vegetarians or a cheap meal night.
✔ Great for Meal Prep – Leftovers taste even better the next day!

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🛒 What You’ll Need

This dish uses basic pantry staples and affordable fresh ingredients.

Main Ingredients:

✅ 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne) 🛒 How to choose the best budget pasta
✅ 2 large onions, thinly sliced
✅ 8 oz mushrooms (white or cremini), sliced
✅ 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
✅ 2 cloves garlic, minced
✅ ½ tsp salt
✅ ½ tsp black pepper
✅ ½ tsp dried thyme or oregano
✅ ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
✅ ¼ cup pasta water (for silky sauce!)
✅ Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)

👉 Want extra richness? Stir in 1 tbsp heavy cream or cream cheese!

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👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Caramelize the Onions

1️⃣ Heat 1 tbsp butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2️⃣ Add sliced onions and ½ tsp salt, stirring occasionally.
3️⃣ Cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until onions turn deep golden brown.
4️⃣ If onions start to stick, add 1 tbsp water to prevent burning.

💡 Pro Tip: The slower you cook onions, the sweeter they get!

Step 2: Cook the Mushrooms & Garlic

5️⃣ Add mushrooms to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
6️⃣ Stir in garlic, thyme, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.

Step 3: Boil the Pasta

7️⃣ While the onions & mushrooms cook, boil pasta in salted water until al dente.
8️⃣ Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain pasta.

Step 4: Combine Everything

9️⃣ Toss cooked pasta into the pan with the onion-mushroom mixture.
🔟 Stir in ¼ cup pasta water to coat the pasta in a silky sauce.
🔟 Add more butter or olive oil for extra richness.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!

🔟 Plate the pasta and top with Parmesan cheese & fresh herbs if desired.

🔥 Want extra flavor? Squeeze a little fresh lemon juice before serving!

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💰 Cost Breakdown (Estimated per Serving)

Ingredient	Cost
Pasta (8 oz)	$1.00
Onions (2 large)	$0.75
Mushrooms (8 oz)	$1.00
Butter/Oil & Spices	$0.50
Total Cost:	$3.25 (~$1 per serving!)

🛒 Save more by:
✅ Using store-brand pasta & butter.
✅ Buying mushrooms in bulk & freezing extras.
✅ Skipping cheese or using nutritional yeast for a vegan option.

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🍽️ What to Serve with Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Pasta

Pair this rich pasta with simple, budget-friendly sides:

🥗 Simple Side Salad – Homemade dressing ideas
🥖 Garlic Bread – Best easy garlic bread recipe
🍷 Cheap but Good Wine Pairings – Budget-friendly wine guide

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❓ Common Questions

Can I Use a Different Pasta?

Yes! This works well with fettuccine, linguine, penne, or even egg noodles.

👉 Guide to choosing the right pasta shape

Can I Make This Vegan?

Absolutely! Just swap butter for olive oil and skip the Parmesan or use nutritional yeast.

Can I Add Protein?

✔ Chicken or Sausage – Sauté diced chicken breast or Italian sausage.
✔ Chickpeas or White Beans – Add extra protein for cheap!
✔ Eggs – Top with a soft-poached egg for extra richness.

How Do I Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Reheat: Warm in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth.

👉 Best ways to store & reheat pasta

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🛒 Where to Buy Cheap Pasta & Mushrooms

💡 Want to save even more? Try:
✔ Aldi & Walmart – Best deals on dry pasta & fresh produce.
✔ Farmers Markets – Often have cheap, locally grown mushrooms.
✔ Costco or Sam’s Club – Great for bulk pasta & onions.

🔗 More money-saving grocery tips:

• How to Grocery Shop on a Budget
• Best Cheap Pantry Staples for Cooking

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🌟 Final Thoughts: Fancy, Fast & Cheap!

This Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Pasta proves that fancy meals don’t need a fancy budget! With simple ingredients and deep, rich flavors, it’s the perfect quick, cheap, and satisfying dinner for any night of the week.

🔥 Tried this recipe? Let us know in the comments below!

📌 Loved this dish? Pin it for later!

🔗 More budget-friendly meal ideas:

• 25 Cheap & Easy Pasta Dishes
• How to Cook Gourmet Meals on a Budget
• 10 Quick & Affordable Weeknight Dinners