Description
This Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe is a flavorful and easy-to-make Italian pasta dish that combines hearty Italian sausage, tender broccoli rabe, and pecorino romano cheese for a perfect balance of savory and slightly bitter flavors. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal quick dinner especially for those who love robust, rustic Italian flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
pasta
- 8 ounces orecchiette pasta
protein and aromatics
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or hot, casings removed)
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
vegetables and liquids
- 1 bunch broccoli rabe, trimmed and cut into smaller pieces (about 4 cups)
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
others
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water. Once boiling, add the orecchiette and cook until just tender, following the package directions. Before draining, save 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
- Brown the sausage: In a large frying pan, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and sauté until it’s nicely browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté garlic and red pepper: Incorporate the chopped garlic and crushed red pepper (if using) into the pan, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
- Cook the broccoli rabe: Add the broccoli rabe to the skillet, pour in the vegetable broth, then cover the pan and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the broccoli rabe is tender yet still vibrant in color.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Toss the drained orecchiette into the skillet, mixing everything well. If the dish seems too dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water. Stir in the Pecorino Romano cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- Save some pasta water before draining to help loosen the sauce and create a silky texture.
- Choose sweet or hot Italian sausage according to your heat preference.
- Trim broccoli rabe stems well to reduce bitterness if desired.
- Freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese adds a sharp, salty flavor that complements this dish perfectly.
- Use fresh herbs like basil or parsley for added brightness and color garnish.
