Description
This Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe is a simple yet flavorful Italian-inspired pasta dish combining tender orecchiette, savory Italian sausage, and slightly bitter, vibrant broccoli rabe. Cooked in one pan, the dish is enriched with garlic, a hint of crushed red pepper, and finished with Pecorino Romano cheese for a perfect balance of flavors in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces orecchiette pasta
Protein & Vegetables
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or hot, casings removed)
- 1 bunch broccoli rabe, trimmed and cut into smaller pieces (about 4 cups)
Seasonings & Liquids
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Cheese & Garnish
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette and cook according to package instructions until just tender. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown the sausage: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Sauté until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté garlic and red pepper: Add the finely chopped garlic and crushed red pepper (if using) to the pan. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook broccoli rabe: Add the trimmed broccoli rabe to the skillet and pour in the vegetable broth. Cover the pan and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the broccoli rabe is tender but still vibrant green.
- Combine pasta and finish: Toss the drained orecchiette into the skillet with the sausage and broccoli rabe. Mix everything together thoroughly. If the mixture seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water. Stir in the freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can use either sweet or hot Italian sausage depending on your preference.
- Broccoli rabe can be quite bitter, so adjust cooking time or seasoning to balance flavors.
- Reserve pasta water is useful for loosening the sauce and helping it adhere to the pasta.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute sausage with sautéed mushrooms or a plant-based sausage alternative.
- Use Pecorino Romano for a sharp, tangy cheese flavor; Parmesan can be substituted if unavailable.
