Sausage Cavatelli with Broccoli Rabe
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with Sausage Cavatelli with Broccoli Rabe—a hearty, flavor-packed pasta dish that balances rich and savory with fresh and zesty. Tender cavatelli pasta is tossed with sautéed Italian sausage, garlicky broccoli rabe, and a hint of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. A splash of reserved pasta water creates a silky sauce, while freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a touch of lemon zest add a bright, creamy finish. Perfect for family dinners or casual entertaining, this one-pan meal comes together in just 40 minutes and is a celebration of simple ingredients and bold flavors. Comfort food at its finest!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Cavatelli pasta
- 1 bunch Broccoli rabe
- 12 ounces Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 3 Garlic cloves, minced
- 0.25 teaspoons Red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Trim the rough ends of the broccoli rabe, cut it into 2-inch pieces, and rinse thoroughly.
Blanch the broccoli rabe in the boiling water for 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a colander, draining well. Reserve the boiling water for cooking the pasta.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove the sausage and set aside.
In the same skillet, add another 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
Add the blanched broccoli rabe to the skillet and sauté for 3–4 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Meanwhile, cook the cavatelli in the reserved boiling water according to the package instructions, until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
Add the cooked cavatelli to the skillet with the broccoli rabe. Stir in the browned sausage and mix everything together.
Gradually add the reserved pasta water, 1–2 tablespoons at a time, to help coat the pasta and create a light sauce.
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and lemon zest. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper, if needed.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
707 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 35.0 g | 45% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.1 g | 56% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 71 mg | 24% | |
| Sodium | 1429 mg | 62% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 65.2 g | 24% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.0 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.3 g | ||
| Protein | 30.8 g | 62% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 253 mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 4.6 mg | 25% | |
| Potassium | 520 mg | 11% | |
*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.
