Name: Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 3 plant-based Italian sausages; olive oil; 1 1/2 bunches broccoli rabe; 8 oz orecchiette; 4 garlic cloves sliced; 1/4 cup dry white wine; 1/3 cup grated Parmesan; 1 tablespoon lemon juice plus 1 teaspoon zest; 1/4\u20131/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; salt and pepper; 2 caramelized onions; 8 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes chopped; 1/3 cup pine nuts toasted

01

Overview

Prep20 min

Cook20 min

Total40 min

Servings4

DifficultyEasy

02

Ingredients

3 plant-based Italian sausages olive oil1 1/2 bunches broccoli rabe8 oz orecchiette4 garlic clovessliced1/4 cup dry white wine1/3 cup grated Parmesan1 tablespoon lemon juiceplus 1 teaspoon zest1/4\u20131/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes salt and pepper2 caramelized onions8 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoeschopped1/3 cup pine nutstoasted

03

Equipment

Large pot
Large skillet

04

Method

01

Blanch and brown

Brown the sausage pieces in a lightly oiled skillet and set aside. Blanch the broccoli rabe in salted boiling water for 2 minutes, drain, dry, and chop.

02

Cook the pasta

Cook the orecchiette in the same water until al dente and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.

03

Toss it together

Cook the garlic and broccoli rabe briefly in olive oil, add the wine, then transfer the pasta into the skillet. Add pasta water, Parmesan, lemon, red pepper flakes, sausage, onions, and tomatoes. Finish with pine nuts.

✦

Tips

NoteBlanching softens the bitterness without erasing it.

NoteCaramelize the onions ahead \u2014 they keep 4 days and are worth it here.

NoteRefrigerate up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of water.

✦

Nutrition

NoteNutrition varies by ingredient brands and serving size.

✦

Storage

RefrigeratorRefrigerate up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of water.

?

Frequently asked

Can I use regular broccoli?+

You can, but you lose the pleasant bitterness that makes the sweet onions and tomatoes make sense.

Is it very spicy?+

Start with 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes; the rabe has its own edge already.

What replaces the sausage?+

White beans or simply more pine nuts \u2014 the caramelized onions carry the savory weight.

Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe

Overview

Ingredients

Equipment