Orecchiette with Spicy Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
Bring bold, comforting flavors to your table with this irresistible Orecchiette with Spicy Sausage and Broccoli Rabe recipe. Featuring tender pasta, savory Italian sausage, and the slight bitterness of broccoli rabe, this dish strikes the perfect balance of hearty and vibrant. A hint of red pepper flakes and minced garlic creates a subtly spicy, aromatic base, while a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese ties it all together with rich creaminess. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy yet elegant one-pan meal is ideal for busy weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. Packed with flavor and a touch of spice, this pasta recipe will quickly become a family favorite! Perfect for lovers of rustic Italian cuisine.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Orecchiette pasta
- 8 ounces Spicy Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 bunch Broccoli rabe (trimmed and chopped into 2-inch pieces)
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 0.5 teaspoons Red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the orecchiette pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the spicy Italian sausage and break it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate.
In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the red pepper flakes and stir to combine.
Add the chopped broccoli rabe to the skillet. Cook, stirring often, until the broccoli rabe is wilted and tender, about 5-7 minutes. If the skillet becomes too dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet, along with the drained orecchiette pasta. Toss everything together, ensuring the pasta is well coated with the sausage, broccoli rabe, and oil mixture.
Gradually add some of the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, to loosen the sauce and help it adhere to the pasta.
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2743 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 131.9 g | 169% | |
| Saturated Fat | 46.1 g | 231% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 231 mg | 77% | |
| Sodium | 5949 mg | 259% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 263.9 g | 96% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.5 g | 45% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.0 g | ||
| Protein | 125.7 g | 251% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1787 mg | 137% | |
| Iron | 17.7 mg | 98% | |
| Potassium | 1679 mg | 36% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
