Categories: Pasta Main Dish

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large onions, halved and thinly sliced (4 cups)
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 12 ounces plum tomatoes, cored and diced (about 2 cups)
• 3/4 cup lentils, picked over and rinsed
• 12 ounces orecchiette pasta
• 1 bunch (8 ounces) arugula, stemmed and coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving (optional)

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cover, and cook until onions wilt, about 20 minutes. Uncover; raise heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, until onions are dark brown, 20 to 25 minutes more.

2. Add 1/4 cup water; stir to loosen any browned bits from pan. Stir in tomatoes; remove from heat.

3. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, cover lentils with water by 1 inch. Bring to a simmer. Cover; cook until lentils are tender but still holding their shape, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain; stir into onion mixture. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Cook pasta in a pot of salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta, and return to pot.

5. Add lentil mixture, arugula, cheese, and reserved pasta water; toss. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with more cheese, if desired.

6. Cook’s Note: Before using arugula, always wash it well in several changes of cold water, until you no longer see any grit in the bottom of the bowl.

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