Description
This Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage is made with sausage, broccolini, minced garlic, tomatoes, pasta, and olive oil.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds of sausage (hot and sweet sausage each)
- 2 bunches of broccoli rabe
- 2 tablespoons of minced garlic
- 1 can of diced tomato
- 1 lb of orecchiette pasta
- Olive oil
- Salt, pepper, parmesan and red pepper flakes as you like
Instructions
- Start by blanching the broccoli rabe in a large pot of boiling water. Put the broccoli rabe in for 2 minutes and take it out. When you are done, use tongs to take the broccoli rabe out and set aside. Do not strain the water as we will be cooking the pasta inside the same pot of water.
- Take the sausage out of the casing and then cutting the sausage into bite sized pieces. In a large pan, add the olive oil and garlic. Wait until the garlic browns and then add the sausage. Cook the sausage for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes. Cook for 4 minutes and add the blanched broccoli rabe into the sausage mixture. Add salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to your liking. Keep simmering until the sausage is cooked through, about an extra 10 minutes. The sausage will be ready when the outside of the sausages are a deep golden brown and the inside is pale but with no sign of pink.
- Cook the pasta in the same broccoli rabe water according to package instructions. When both the sausage mixture and pasta are done, combine and enjoy. Top with parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes to your liking.
Notes
- Blanch the broccoli rabe before sautéing it with garlic and red pepper flakes. This will help to tenderize the tough stems and leaves.
- Choose a high-quality sausage for the recipe. Look for sausage with a good balance of fat and meat, and be sure to remove the casing before cooking.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Orecchiette should be cooked until al dente, which means it should still have a slight bite to it.
- Reserve some of the pasta water before draining the cooked orecchiette. This starchy water can be used to help thicken the sauce and bring everything together.
- Add a splash of white wine or lemon juice to brighten the flavors of the dish. This can be added during the cooking process or just before serving.
- Don't be afraid to adjust the seasoning to your liking. Taste the dish before serving and add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Saute
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 871 mg
- Fat: 21.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 7.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 16.6 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 14.9 g
- Cholesterol: 60.1 mg
