How to Make Orecchiette Pasta with Broccoli Rabe, Sausage, and Pecorino Cheese - A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you a fan of traditional Italian cuisine? Looking for a hearty and flavorful pasta dish to wow your friends and family? Look no further than this delicious Orecchiette Pasta with Broccoli Rabe, Sausage, and Pecorino Cheese recipe! This dish combines bold flavors and simple ingredients to create a truly satisfying meal that will leave everyone clamoring for seconds.

Orecchiette, which translates to "little ears" in Italian, is the perfect pasta shape to cradle the savory sausage an...

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Ingredients

  • 2 ½ bunches broccoli rabe
  • 1 (16 ounce) package orecchiette pasta
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, or more as needed
  • 3 Italian pork sausages, casings removed
  • 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 3 ounces bread crumbs
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 ounce shaved Pecorino cheese, or more to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Servings: 6
  • Yield: 6 servings

  • Bring 4 to 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot.
  • Cut 1 to 1 1/2 inches off of the bottom of the broccoli rabe stalks; cut into 1 1/2-inch sections.
  • Place trimmed broccoli rabe and orecchiette into the boiling water and boil until pasta is tender, 12 to 14 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add sausage and cook for 6 minutes; stir in garlic and cook until sausage is browned and crumbly, 2 to 3 minutes more.
  • Heat a medium-sized pan over medium heat. Add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Stir in bread crumbs. Cook until browned and crunchy, about 5 minutes.
  • Drain the pasta pot. Add drained broccoli rabe and orecchiette to the sausage. Add red pepper flakes and 1/2 of the bread crumbs and stir well.
  • Transfer 1/2 the pasta mixture to a large bowl. Stir in 1/2 the Pecorino cheese. Add remaining pasta mixture to the bowl and top with remaining cheese; mix well. Top with remaining bread crumbs.
  • Nutrition

    565 cal.

    • Total Fat: 21g
    • Saturated Fat: 6g
    • Cholesterol: 27mg
    • Sodium: 657mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 72g
    • Dietary Fiber: 6g
    • Total Sugars: 4g
    • Protein: 24g
    • Vitamin C: 87mg
    • Calcium: 132mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 161mg