This Kasha Varnishkes recipe is a comforting Jewish classic made with nutty buckwheat, bowtie pasta, and sweet caramelized onions. Easy to make and perfect for Shabbat, holidays, or a cozy family meal.
Kasha Varnishkes
Oy vavoy, your inner Yiddishe momme is calling. These delicious kasha varnishkes are savory, comforting, and completely addictive.
This classic Jewish dish is perfect as a vegetarian main or as a hearty side for Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, or any holiday table. It is simple, nostalgic, and the kind of recipe that makes people go back for seconds.
What Is Kasha Varnishkes?
Kasha varnishkes is a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish dish made with buckwheat groats, bowtie pasta, and caramelized onions. It has a rich, nutty flavor and a cozy texture that makes it pure comfort food.
If you have never tried kasha before, it is simply buckwheat, a grain-like seed with an earthy taste that works beautifully in savory dishes.
Why You’ll Love This Kasha Varnishkes Recipe
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Perfect for Shabbat and Jewish holidays
- Comforting, hearty, and filling
- Works as a side dish or vegetarian main
- Tastes even better the next day
A Family Recipe from My Omi
My Omi came to town last week and, for the first time since I moved to Miami, I asked her to teach me how to cook three traditional dishes: kasha varnishkes, borscht, and holishkes.
Thankfully, she said yes. She came over with my cousins, and we spent the day in the kitchen cooking up a storm while my Opi did the important job of taste testing.
Even though the borscht and holishkes were wonderful, they were a little too involved for the blog. This kasha varnishkes recipe made the cut because it is versatile, simple, and incredibly flavorful.
What Does Kasha Taste Like?
Kasha has a nutty, earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with sweet caramelized onions and tender bowtie pasta. Together, the dish is rich and savory without being heavy.
This is one of those old-school recipes that may sound simple, but once you taste it, you understand why it has been loved for generations.
When to Serve Kasha Varnishkes
This dish is especially perfect for Jewish holidays like Rosh Hashanah, but it is also wonderful for Shabbat dinners or as a comforting weeknight side dish.
It pairs beautifully with brisket, roasted chicken, or anything that needs a hearty, savory side.
I hope you can try this delicious kasha varnishkes recipe at home. If you do, please upload a pic on Instagram and tag me @Livingsweetmoments or use the hashtag #LivingSweet. I promise to repost it.
Kasha Varnishkes (Buckwheat Bowtie Pasta with Caramelized Onions)
Ingredients
- 1 cup kasha buckwheat groats, uncooked
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 3/4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 oz bowtie pasta farfalle
- 2 large onions finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the kasha with the eggs until evenly coated
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter
- Add the kasha and cook, stirring constantly, until the grains separate and lightly toast, about 3–4 minutes
- Pour in the stock and season with salt and pepper
- Bring to a boil, then cover and cook on low heat for 15–20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the kasha is tender
- Meanwhile, cook the bowtie pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside
- In another skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook slowly until deeply caramelized, about 15–20 minutes
- Add the cooked pasta and caramelized onions to the kasha and gently mix until combined
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper
- Serve warm and enjoy
Notes
- Cook onions low and slow for the best flavor, rushing this step reduces sweetness
- Use chicken stock for a deeper flavor or vegetable stock to keep it vegetarian
- Leftovers reheat well and taste even better the next day
Nutrition
Pair these Kasha Varnishkes with a delicious Wine and Pomegranate Brisket.
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