Spicy Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe & Sausage
Lately, whenever we go out for Italian, I find myself ordering some version of orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe. The combination of bitter greens, spicy red pepper flakes, fennel-spiced sausage, and nutty Parmesan is so satisfying and seductive. And, as you know, I’m in love with the way orecchiette cups whatever you serve it with—it’s like having a built-in spoon with your bowl of pasta. My take on this new Italian classic is easy enough to make any night of the week—even when you think you don’t have enough time to get dinner on the table!
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Note: Splurge on really well-made orecchiette for this dish! The sauce is so light and silky that it will highlight (but not overshadow) the pasta, so you want to make sure the orecchiette is strong enough in taste to stand up to the bitter greens and sausage. (Honestly, as much as I love a gourmet market, I frequently find gorgeous pastas in the aisles of HomeGoods, any of which would be perfect for this!)
Spicy Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe & Sausage
Recipe by Sea Salt + Honey
Serves: 4-6 people
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Ingredients:
2 bunches broccoli rabe, cleaned and trimmed (find out how here!)
6 garlic cloves, sliced
olive oil
salt & pepper
crushed red pepper
1 lb orecchiette
1 lb sweet Italian sausage, removed from casings
1/2-3/4 cup Pecorino Romano
Directions:
Blanch broccoli rabe in boiling, well-salted water for 2 minutes, then remove to a plate. Take out 1/4 cup of the boiling water and reserve. Once you remove the rabe from the boiling water, go ahead and boil your orecchiette in the same water according to the package instructions.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large pan and sauté garlic cloves with 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper for 1 minute. Add the blanched broccoli rabe to the pan with the splash of water you reserved, then sauté the rabe for 2 minutes. Remove the contents of the pan to a plate.
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in the pan with 1/2 tsp red pepper. Add sausage and brown, about 6-8 minutes. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp black pepper over the sausage.
Turn the heat of the pan off, add the broccoli rabe back in, then add the orecchiette. Add 1/2 cup Pecorino and 1/4 pasta water. Toss until creamy, adding more Pecorino or water as needed. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of Pecorino on top.
