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This classic Pugliese pasta dish combines the earthy bitterness of broccoli rabe with savory Italian sausage and garlic-kissed olive oil. Orecchiette, or “little ears,” are the perfect shape to scoop up all the spicy, garlicky goodness. It’s bold, rustic, and ready in under 30 minutes.

🍴 Ingredients

• 1 pound orecchiette pasta
• 1 bunch broccoli rabe, trimmed and chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Grated Pecorino Romano cheese, for serving

🔥 Instructions
Blanch the Broccoli Rabe:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli rabe and cook for 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Use the same water to cook the pasta.

Cook the Pasta:
Add orecchiette to the boiling water and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

Brown the Sausage:
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1–2 more minutes.

Combine Everything:
Add broccoli rabe to the skillet with the sausage. Stir in the drained pasta and reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce. Toss until everything is coated and heated through.

Serve:
Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with grated Pecorino Romano on top.

📦 Amazon Must-Haves to help you create the best Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage

• 🍝 Orecchiette Pasta – Traditional shape perfect for this rustic dish
• 🌿 Broccoli Rabe Seeds (for home gardeners) – Grow your own fresh broccoli rabe!
• 🌶️ Red Pepper Flakes – For that essential Southern Italian kick
• 🧄 Garlic Press – An easy way to get that fresh garlic flavor
• 🧀 Pecorino Romano Cheese Wedge – A sharp, salty finish to tie it all together

💡 Helpful Tip: To mellow out the bitterness of broccoli rabe even more, blanch it for an extra minute and give it a quick rinse under cold water before sautéing.