Best 5 Orecchiette With Broccoli Rabe And Tomatoes Recipes

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Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Tomatoes: A Rustic Italian Treat
In the realm of Italian cuisine, orecchiette with broccoli rabe and tomatoes stands as a testament to the culinary artistry of Puglia, a region renowned for its vibrant flavors and rustic charm. This delectable dish, often referred to as "orecchiette con cime di rapa," is a symphony of textures and flavors that captures the essence of Italian home cooking. The orecchiette, small ear-shaped pasta, serves as a perfect vessel for the robust flavors of sautéed broccoli rabe, sweet cherry tomatoes, and a hint of garlic and chili peppers. Dressed in a simple yet flavorful sauce made from olive oil, the dish exudes a rustic elegance that is both comforting and satisfying. Join us on a culinary journey as we explore the authentic flavors of this beloved Italian dish, with step-by-step instructions and additional variations to tantalize your taste buds.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

ORECCHIETTE WITH BROCCOLI RABE



Orecchiette With Broccoli Rabe image

Orecchiette with broccoli rabe is one of the signature pasta dishes from Apulia, city of Bari in particular.

Provided by Italian Recipe Book

Categories     Pasta

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 lb fresh orecchiette pasta OR 12 oz dry orecchiette
1 bunch broccoli rabe ((rapini))
2-3 garlic cloves
4 anchovy fillets
Pinch peperoncino ((chili flakes ½ inch fresh hot pepper))
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt to taste

Steps:

  • Put a large pot of water to boil.
  • In the meantime, wash broccoli rabe under cold running water.
  • Remove all yellow and dull leaves. Trim off the bottoms of the stems to remove tough and fibrous parts.
  • If some of the stems are still thick don't cut them off further but split the end with a knife until the stems thins out a bit. This will ensure your greens are cooked evenly. Chop coarsely.
  • Once water is boiling add salt and broccoli rabe. Reduce the heat and cook for about 5 minutes.
  • Past that time add orecchiette pasta and cook until pasta is "al dente". Verify cooking time on the directions on the package.
  • Dry pasta cooks longer!
  • While pasta and broccoli rabe are cooking prepare the sauce.
  • In a large skillet pan add a generous splash of extra virgin olive oil, pinch of peperoncino (or fresh hot pepper), garlic cloves crushed with a flat knife and anchovy fillets.
  • Cook on medium low heat stirring continuously. The sauce is ready once garlic becomes fragrant and anchovy fillets are dissolved. Remove garlic (optional). Turn off the heat.
  • Drain pasta with broccoli rabe.
  • Add it to a pan with the sauce. Turn on the heat and toss everything for a couple of minutes until all the flavors combine.

ORECCHIETTE WITH BROCCOLI RABE & SAUSAGE



Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe & Sausage image

Provided by Ina Garten

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 pound sweet Italian pork sausages
1/2 pound hot Italian pork sausages
1/3 cup good olive oil
6 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 (14.5-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
1/2 cup dry red wine
1/4 cup tomato paste
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound dried orecchiette pasta
2 bunches broccoli rabe (2 to 2 1/2 pounds total)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prick the sausages with a fork and place them on a sheet pan. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until just cooked through. Slice 1/2 inch thick and set aside.
  • Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Add the sausage slices and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pieces are browned. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and their juices, the red wine, tomato paste, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and let the mixture simmer over low heat while you prepare the pasta and broccoli.
  • Bring a very large pot half filled with water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Add the pasta and cook for 9 minutes exactly. While the pasta is cooking, trim the broccoli rabe to just below the leaves and discard the stems. Cut the leafy part of the broccoli rabe crosswise in 2-inch pieces. When the pasta has cooked for 9 minutes, add the broccoli rabe to the pasta and continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes, until the pasta is al dente and the broccoli is crisp-tender. Drain in a large colander, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid, and add the pasta and broccoli to the pot with the tomato and sausage mixture. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon of salt. If the pasta seems dry, add some of the reserved cooking liquid. Taste for seasonings, and serve hot with extra Parmesan on the side.

ORECCHIETTE WITH BROCCOLI RABE AND TOMATOES



Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Tomatoes image

For this pasta dish, broccoli rabe and orecchiette are cooked together in one pan. You could stop there and simply finish with a drizzle of extra-virgin oiive oil and some finely grated Pecorino Romano, but it's exceptionally good tossed with an all-star Italian sauce of anchovies, garlic, capers, and tomatoes, and topped with toasted breadcrumbs. This recipe appears in our cookbook, "Martha Stewart's Vegetables" (Clarkson Potter).

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Seafood Recipes

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 10

7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 1/2 cups plain fresh breadcrumbs
Kosher salt
4 anchovy fillets, rinsed and patted dry
6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons capers, preferably salt-packed, rinsed, drained, and chopped
1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1 pound fresh Step-by-Step Orecchiette or best-quality dried orecchiette
1 pound broccoli rabe, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces

Steps:

  • In a large saute pan, heat 3 tablespoons oil over medium. Add breadcrumbs and season with salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until crisp and golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer breadcrumbs to a plate.
  • Add 2 tablespoons oil to pan; heat over medium. Add anchovies and stir until they dissolve into oil, about 1 minute. Add garlic and capers; cook, stirring, until garlic is golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, red-pepper flakes, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Increase heat to medium-high; cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes begin to break down, about 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. If using fresh orecchiette, add broccoli rabe and pasta to pot, and cook until pasta is al dente, 2 to 3 minutes. If using dried orecchiette, cook according to package instructions until al dente, adding broccoli rabe 2 minutes before end of cooking time. Drain pasta and broccoli rabe, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water.
  • Add pasta, broccoli rabe, and reserved pasta water to tomato mixture in pan. Cook over medium-high, stirring gently, until liquid has thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish, top with breadcrumbs, and serve immediately.

EASY ORECCHIETTE WITH BROCCOLI RABE



Easy Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe image

Olive oil and Parmesan cheese offset the bite of the broccoli rabe in this classic orecchiette pasta dish.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 9

Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 pounds broccoli rabe, rinsed, trimmed, and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound orecchiette pasta
1/4 cup olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 or 2 anchovy fillets (optional)
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Lemon wedges, for serving

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil; salt generously. Add broccoli rabe. Cook until leaves are wilted, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer broccoli rabe to colander; drain well.
  • Return water to a boil, and add pasta; cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid.
  • Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring, until soft, 30 seconds, being careful not to brown. Add anchovy fillets, if using, and crushed red pepper; cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in broccoli rabe; cook until heated through, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Add pasta to broccoli rabe mixture; toss to combine, adding reserved cooking water as desired. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Serve with Parmesan and lemon wedges.

ORECCHIETTE WITH BROCCOLI RABE



Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe image

Categories     Pasta     Vegetable     Side     Vegetarian     Quick & Easy     Lunch     Parmesan     Broccoli     Healthy     Bon Appétit     Sugar Conscious     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/4 cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
12 ounces orecchiette or shell pasta
1 pound broccoli rabe, trimmed, chopped
2/3 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese (about 2 ounces)
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce)

Steps:

  • Heat oil in heavy small saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until beginning to color, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
  • Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until beginning to soften, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add broccoli rabe and cook until pasta is just tender, but still firm to bite, about 3 minutes. Drain. Transfer pasta and broccoli rabe to large bowl. Pour garlic oil over. Sprinkle with cheeses and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Tips:

  • Choose the right orecchiette. Look for dried or fresh orecchiette pasta that is made with durum wheat flour. This type of pasta holds its shape well and has a slightly chewy texture that pairs well with the broccoli rabe and tomatoes.
  • Prepare the broccoli rabe properly. Trim the tough ends of the broccoli rabe and remove any wilted or yellow leaves. Wash the broccoli rabe thoroughly and chop it into bite-sized pieces.
  • Don't overcook the orecchiette. Orecchiette should be cooked al dente, which means it should be tender but still have a slight bite to it. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, and be sure to drain it well before adding it to the sauce.
  • Use high-quality tomatoes. Fresh, ripe tomatoes are essential for this dish. If you can't find fresh tomatoes, you can use canned diced tomatoes, but be sure to drain them well before adding them to the sauce.
  • Add some spice. If you like a little heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or chili powder to the sauce. You can also add some chopped garlic or onion for extra flavor.

Conclusion:

Orecchiette with broccoli rabe and tomatoes is a simple but delicious dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is made with just a few ingredients and can be prepared in under 30 minutes. The orecchiette pasta is cooked al dente and tossed with a flavorful sauce made with broccoli rabe, tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil. This dish is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables, and it is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

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