orecchiette with sausage and brocolli rabe

Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccolli Rabe

Orecchiette pasta is cooked until tender and combined with Italian sausage and broccoli rabe sautéed in olive oil with garlic. The sausage is browned to render its fat, creating a flavorful base that coats the pasta. Broccoli rabe contributes a slightly bitter note that balances the richness of the meat, reflecting a traditional preparation commonly associated with the cuisine of southern Italy.

As the ingredients are tossed together, some of the pasta cooking water is often added to help emulsify the oil and rendered fat into a light sauce. The small ear-shaped pasta holds pieces of sausage and greens in its curved centers. Simple techniques such as sautéing, browning, and tossing the pasta in the pan create a cohesive mixture with layered savory flavor.

Print Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Pasta
Italian
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • large pot
  • skillet or saucier

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. orecchiette
  • 1 lb. broccoli rabe, 1 bunch
  • 1 lb. hot Italian sausage, crumbled
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 8 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1 anchovy
  • chopped parsley with stems, for garnish

Instructions 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Remove the bottom inch of the broccoli rabe, rinse thoroughly, and chop into 2 to 3 inch pieces.
  • Blanch the broccoli rabe pieces for 2 to 3 minutes until they turn bright green.
  • Strain the greens from the water and set aside to cool. Keep the water to boil the pasta.
  • Heat a skillet over medium, add the sausage, and brown on all sides. Crumble the sausage into bite-sized pieces.
  • Remove the sausage and set aside to drain.
  • Add the orecchiette to the boiling water and cook until 1 to 2 minutes short of al dente.
  • In the skillet that the sausage was browned in, add ¼ cup of olive oil, sliced garlic, an anchovy, and parsley stems.
  • Cook the garlic until it begins to turn golden, about 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Remove the parsley stems and add the pasta and broccoli rabe to the pan and mix.
  • Finish cooking the pasta in the pan for 2 to 3 minutes, adding pasta water as needed.
  • Salt and pepper to taste.