Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Orecchiette Pasta
A simple weeknight meal that’s bursting with flavor, this Orecchiette Pasta dish will become one recipe that’s on repeat. Flavorful sausage, sauteed broccoli rabe, cheese, and a rich dressing is simple and delicious.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Total Time35 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 6 servings
Author: The Kitchen Prep
- 1 pound orecchiette pasta
- 1 bunch broccoli rabe rinsed and roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound mild Italian chicken {or pork} sausage removed from casing
- 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ⅓ cup Italian cheese blend of your choice plus extra for sprinkling
- 1 pinch Red pepper flakes for sprinkling if desired
- ¼ cup lemon juice ½ lemon
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook according to package directions or desired doneness. {Mine took about 12 minutes.} When the pasta is cooked, scoop it out with a slotted spoon into a bowl while you cook the broccoli rabe.
Bring the pasta water back up to a rolling boil add the broccoli rabe. Cook for about 1-2 minutes until the leaves have wilted down. Drain, saving about 2-3 tablespoons of the pasta water, and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add sausage (removed from casings), and break up with a wooden spoon or a potato masher. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until no longer pink. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute, then add blanched broccoli rabe to the pan and saute for another 2-3 minutes or until heated through.
Add the cooked pasta to the pan, along with the butter. Toss everything to combine.
Add cheese and a few tablespoons of pasta water and mix until the cheese is melted and the pasta is coated.
Before serving, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over top of the pasta and sprinkle with red pepper flakes and extra cheese if desired. Serve hot.