Description
A cozy and flavorful Italian pasta dish featuring orecchiette tossed with garlicky olive oil, broccoli rabe, and savory Italian sausage, finished with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces orecchiette pasta
- 1 bunch broccoli rabe, trimmed
- 3 Italian sausage links, casing removed
- 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook sausage until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Add olive oil and garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes.
- Blanch broccoli rabe in boiling water for 1–2 minutes, then transfer to an ice bath. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, cook orecchiette pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Add pasta and broccoli rabe to the skillet with garlic oil. Return sausage to the pan and toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Stir in parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning with salt.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- Adjust the heat by increasing or reducing the crushed red pepper flakes.
- Save pasta water to help create a silky sauce.
- Blanching the broccoli rabe removes bitterness and keeps its bright green color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: orecchiette pasta, broccoli rabe pasta, sausage pasta, Italian dinner, quick pasta recipe