Orecchiette Pasta with Broccoli Rabe, Sausage, and Pecorino Cheese

Prepared in just 30 minutes, this orecchiette pasta dish comes together with broccoli rabe, Italian sausage, and Pecorino cheese for a flavorful, easy dinner that's sure to please.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 565 Calories

Ingredients

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

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring 4 to 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot.

Step 2

Cut 1 to 1 1/2 inches off of the bottom of the broccoli rabe stalks; cut into 1 1/2-inch sections.

Step 3

Place trimmed broccoli rabe and orecchiette into the boiling water and boil until pasta is tender, 12 to 14 minutes.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

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.