Craving a dish that bursts with Italian flavors and is sure to impress? Look no further than this delightful Orecchiette with Italian Sausage! This hearty pasta dish combines perfectly chewy orecchiette, savory Italian sausage, and vibrant broccoli rabe for a meal that’s as comforting as it is delicious. With just 30 minutes of your time, you can whip up a restaurant-quality dinner that will have your family asking for seconds. Ready to dive into a culinary adventure that will tantalize your taste buds? Let’s get cooking!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 ounces of orecchiette pasta
- 1 pound of Italian sausage
- 1 cup of broccoli rabe
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 12 ounces of orecchiette pasta, 1 pound of Italian sausage, 1 cup of broccoli rabe, 2 cloves of garlic, 1/4 cup of olive oil, and Parmesan cheese for serving.
- Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the orecchiette pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, typically about 9-11 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the broccoli rabe. Rinse it under cold water to clean, then trim off the tough ends of the stems. If the stems are thick, you can slice them in half lengthwise for even cooking.
- In a large skillet, heat the 1/4 cup of olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the sausage is browned and cooked through.
- While the sausage is cooking, mince the 2 cloves of garlic. Once the sausage is browned, add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning the garlic.
- Add the prepared broccoli rabe to the skillet with the sausage and garlic. Stir to combine and cook for about 3-4 minutes, until the broccoli rabe is tender but still vibrant green.
- When the orecchiette pasta is done cooking, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sausage and broccoli rabe mixture.
- Toss everything together in the skillet, adding a little reserved pasta water if needed to help combine the ingredients and create a light sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the orecchiette with Italian sausage hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Tips
- Perfect Pasta: Make sure to salt your boiling water generously; it should taste like the sea. This enhances the flavor of the pasta as it cooks.
- Sausage Selection: Choose high-quality Italian sausage for the best flavor. You can opt for sweet or spicy, depending on your preference.
- Broccoli Rabe Prep: If you find broccoli rabe too bitter, blanch it in boiling water for a minute before adding it to the skillet. This will soften its flavor while retaining its vibrant color.
- Pasta Water Magic: Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water! This starchy liquid is perfect for adjusting the sauce’s consistency and helping the ingredients cling to the pasta.
- Cheese It Up: For an extra touch of flavor, try using freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It melts beautifully and adds a rich, creamy finish to your dish.
- Customize Your Dish: Feel free to add other vegetables like cherry tomatoes or spinach for added nutrition and color.Enjoy your cooking adventure and savor every bite of this Italian classic!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 865kcal
Carbohydrates: 63g
Protein: 32g
Fat: 52g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Cholesterol: 60mg
