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A classic Italian-American pasta dish featuring ear-shaped pasta, savory sausage, and slightly bitter broccoli rabe. It's a hearty, flavorful, and satisfying meal that comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Prepare Water and Blanch Broccoli Rabe
Cook the Pasta
Cook Sausage and Aromatics
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A classic Italian-American pasta dish featuring ear-shaped pasta, savory sausage, and slightly bitter broccoli rabe. It's a hearty, flavorful, and satisfying meal that comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
This italian_american recipe takes 30 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 1023.95 calories per serving with 39.75g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for lunch or dinner.
Combine and Create the Sauce
Finish and Serve
Omit the sausage and sauté 8 oz of sliced cremini mushrooms. Add a can of drained cannellini beans along with the broccoli rabe for protein.
If broccoli rabe is unavailable, you can substitute it with broccolini, kale, or Swiss chard. Adjust blanching time as needed.
Stir in some sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained) or toasted pine nuts at the end for extra flavor and texture.
While Pecorino is traditional, you can substitute it with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano for a slightly nuttier, less salty flavor.
Broccoli rabe is an excellent source of vitamins K, A, and C, as well as folate and iron, which are essential for bone health, vision, immune function, and blood production.
The Italian sausage and Pecorino Romano cheese provide a significant amount of protein, which is crucial for muscle repair, growth, and overall body function.
The orecchiette pasta offers complex carbohydrates, which are broken down slowly by the body to provide a steady and sustained release of energy.
Thanks to the broccoli rabe, this dish is high in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, promotes gut health, and helps you feel full and satisfied.
A typical serving of Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe contains approximately 650-750 calories, depending on the type of sausage and amount of oil and cheese used.
This dish can be part of a balanced diet. It offers protein from the sausage, complex carbs from the pasta, and a wealth of vitamins and fiber from the broccoli rabe. To make it healthier, you can use chicken or turkey sausage and be mindful of the oil and cheese portions.
Yes, you can substitute regular broccoli or broccolini. The flavor will be milder and less bitter than traditional broccoli rabe. Cut the broccoli into small florets and blanch them for 2-3 minutes before proceeding with the recipe.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or chicken broth to a skillet over medium heat, then add the pasta and toss until warmed through. This prevents it from drying out.
While best served fresh, you can prep components ahead. Blanch the broccoli rabe and cook the sausage mixture a day in advance. When ready to serve, cook the pasta and combine everything as directed in the final steps.