Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Chicken Sausage

We're making a delicious dish that's sure to tantalize your taste buds: Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Chicken Sausage.

But before we dig into the recipe, let's uncover some fascinating facts about the star ingredients—orecchiette and broccoli rabe—and explore their origins, fun facts, and alternative options. Not only is it a simple and flavorful recipe, it’s easy to make—30 minutes tops—and the whole family devours it, broccoli and all.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

The orecchiette’s “little ear” shape perfectly cradles bits of sausage and greens, making every bite flavorful. It's a one-pan wonder with bold flavors, simple ingredients, and minimal cleanup—perfect for busy evenings.

Ingredient Spotlight: Orecchiette & Broccoli Rabe

Orecchiette, meaning "little ears" in Italian, is a traditional pasta from Puglia, Italy. Its concave shape makes it ideal for holding onto sauces. Broccoli rabe (rapini) is a leafy green vegetable with a delightful bitterness, prized in Mediterranean cuisine for its nutritional benefits.

Fun Facts:

• Orecchiette is traditionally handcrafted using thumb pressure to create its unique shape.
• Rapini is packed with vitamins A, C, K, iron, calcium, and fiber.
• In Italy, orecchiette is often paired with rapini and anchovies.

Alternatives:

If orecchiette or broccoli rabe isn’t available, substitute with penne, fusilli, or greens like kale, Swiss chard, or spinach. For a vegetarian twist, swap sausage with mushrooms or tofu and use vegetable broth.

Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Chicken Sausage

Perfect for Italian romance reads or cozy book club dinners

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Ingredients:

• 1 lb orecchiette pasta
• 1 bunch broccoli rabe, trimmed and chopped
• 4 links of chicken Italian sausage (>Al Fresco), sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup Organic Chicken Stock (Kitchen Basics Organic Free Range Chicken Stock)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
• Olive oil for cooking

Instructions:

1. Bring a large pasta pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare an ice bath. Blanch broccoli rabe for 2-3 mins, transfer to ice bath to stop cooking. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook orecchiette pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Cook sausage until browned, then remove.
4. Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes in the same skillet until fragrant.
5. Return sausage, add broccoli rabe and chicken broth. Simmer 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Add cooked orecchiette and toss, adding pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.
7. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Serving Size: 4-6 people

🛒 Kitchen Essential: I recommend this All-Clad Stainless Steel Pasta Pot for perfect pasta every time.

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