Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

orecchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage

(2 ratings)
Recipe by
Lori Heddinger
Brooklyn, NY

There is a restaurant in the West Village that serves this and I order it every time I go. I finally decided to make it myself, and after a couple of attempts and tweaks, I've got it down.

(2 ratings)
yield 4 serving(s)
prep time 30 Min
cook time 30 Min

Ingredients For orecchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage

  • 1/4 c
    olive oil
  • 4
    garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
  • 1 lb
    sweet italian sausage, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 lb
    broccoli rabe, cooked
  • 1 c
    broccoli rabe water
  • 1 lb
    orecchiette pasta
  • 1 pt
    grape or small cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 pt
    toasted pine nuts
  • 1 Tbsp
    dried red pepper flakes
  • freshly-grated pecorino romano cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste

How To Make orecchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage

  • 1
    Remove any tough outer or damaged leaves of the broccoli rabe. Cut off the stems and tear the leaves into large pieces (about 3 to 4 inches). Wash in a sink filled with cold water. Shake off excess water.
  • 2
    Place broccoli rabe in a deep saucepan with cold water to cover by about 2 inches. Bring just to a simmer over high heat. As soon as bubbles appear at the sides of the pan, remove it from the heat.
  • 3
    Remove 1 cup of cooking water and set aside. Drain the rest.
  • 4
    Heat oil and stir in garlic in a large saute pan over medium heat (don't burn the garlic!). Add the sausages and saute until meat is cooked and loses its raw look.
  • 5
    Salt and pepper to taste, and saute one minute.
  • 6
    Add the rabe water, grape tomatoes and red pepper flakes.
  • 7
    Raise heat and cook until sauce is hot. Once hot, reduce to medium.
  • 8
    Meanwhile, cook orecchiette in rapidly boiling water until al dente.
  • 9
    Drain orecchiette and add to the broccoli rabe and sausage sauce and toss with a wooden spoon.
  • 10
    Remove from heat, add pine nuts and pour into a large serving platter or bowl. Spoon remaining sauce over the top. Sprinkle with Pecorino Romano cheese.

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