Best 6 Orecchiette With Sweet Sausage And Broccoli Rabe Pesto Recipes

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Indulge in the symphony of flavors that is orecchiette with sweet sausage and broccoli rabe pesto. This delectable dish, rooted in the culinary traditions of Southern Italy, is a captivating fusion of textures and tastes. Rustic orecchiette pasta, crafted from durum wheat, forms the foundation of this dish, providing a delightful bite. Sweet Italian sausage, infused with aromatic fennel, lends a savory richness, while broccoli rabe, with its slightly bitter notes, adds a contrasting layer of complexity. Encapsulating these vibrant ingredients is a vibrant pesto, crafted from broccoli rabe, toasted pine nuts, garlic, and pecorino cheese, resulting in a luscious green sauce that ties all the elements together. This recipe promises an unforgettable culinary experience, celebrating the bounty of fresh, seasonal ingredients and the artistry of Italian cuisine.

**Additional Recipes:**

**Broccoli Rabe Pesto:**
* Discover the art of crafting a vibrant broccoli rabe pesto, a versatile condiment that elevates any dish with its bold, slightly bitter flavor.

**One-Pot Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe:**
* Delight in a streamlined version of orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe, prepared in a single pot for effortless weeknight meals.

**Orecchiette with Rapini Pesto:**
* Experience a variation on the classic, featuring rapini instead of broccoli rabe, offering a peppery kick and a vibrant green hue.

**Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe:**
* Savor the traditional combination of orecchiette, sausage, and broccoli rabe, prepared with simple yet flavorful ingredients.

**Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sun-Dried Tomatoes:**
* Embark on a culinary journey with this recipe that adds sun-dried tomatoes to the mix, introducing a burst of tangy sweetness.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ORECCHIETTE WITH BROCCOLI RABE PESTO AND SAUSAGE



Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe Pesto and Sausage image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Kosher salt
2 bunches of broccoli rabe, tough lower stems removed, coarsely chopped into 1-inch lengths
1/2 cup chopped pistachios
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano
Extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup mascarpone
Extra virgin olive oil
1/2 pound Italian sausage, sweet or spicy, casings removed
1 pound orecchiette
Big fat finishing oil
Freshly grated Parmigiano

Steps:

  • For the pesto: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Drop the rabe into the water, give it a swish, and remove it immediately, saving the water to cook your pasta in later.
  • Reserve a cup of the rabe. Toss the rest in a food processor and pulse, pulse, pulse until you have a coarse paste. Add the pistachios and Parm and puree until smooth. If it seems dry, drizzle in a little olive oil while the machine is running. Add the mascarpone and pulse until combined; taste for seasoning. It should be slightly bitter, nutty, and creamy at the same time. Reserve.
  • For the pasta: Coat a large saute pan with olive oil and bring to medium-high heat. Add the sausage, using a spoon to break it up, and cook until brown and crumbly, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Bring your broccoli rabe water back to a boil and toss in the pasta, cooking for 1 minute less than the package recommends. Drain the pasta and add it, along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water, the reserved rabe, and two-thirds of the pesto, to the pan with the sausage. Stir to combine and cook until the water evaporates and the pesto is clinging to the pasta. Remove from the heat, drizzle with some big fat finishing oil, sprinkle with more Parm, and stir vigorously to combine. Divide among bowls and serve immediately.
  • What delightful little ears!

ORECCHIETTE WITH SWEET SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI RABE PESTO



Orecchiette With Sweet Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pesto image

Provided by Florence Fabricant

Categories     dinner, pastas, main course

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Salt
1/2 pound broccoli rabe, stems trimmed off and discarded or saved for another use
3 cloves roasted garlic, peeled
10 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1 cup finely chopped fennel bulb
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casing removed
2 cups chicken stock
500 grams (about 1 1/4 pounds) dried orecchiette, or fresh (made with 4 cups of flour)

Steps:

  • Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a pot and add 1 tablespoon salt. Add broccoli rabe and cook about 5 minutes, until tender. Drain and place in a large bowl of ice water. Drain and squeeze dry. Turn on a food processor and drop garlic in through the feed tube. Stop machine, scrape down sides and add broccoli rabe. Pulse until finely chopped. Stop machine. Add 6 tablespoons oil. Pulse until pesto comes together but is not creamy or thoroughly emulsified. Transfer to a bowl and fold in ¼ cup cheese.
  • Heat remaining 4 tablespoons oil in a large sauté pan on low. Add fennel and onion, and cook until soft but not brown. Add sausage and cook, mashing it to a fine crumble, until it is no longer pink. Add chicken stock and cook until the stock has mostly evaporated and just glazes the sausage. Transfer sausage mixture to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Return sausage to the pan. Fold in broccoli rabe pesto. Set aside.
  • Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orecchiette and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes. Reheat sausage mixture and add about ½ cup of the pasta water. Drain pasta and add to pan with the sausage mixture. Toss ingredients together until pasta is evenly coated. Fold in remaining ½ cup cheese, check seasoning and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 731, UnsaturatedFat 24 grams, Carbohydrate 72 grams, Fat 35 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 32 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 828 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams

ORECCHIETTE WITH BROCCOLI RABE AND SAUSAGE



Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
Shaved Parmesan, for garnish
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound sweet Italian sausage
Kosher salt to taste, plus 1 1/2 teaspoons
2 pounds broccoli rabe, stems trimmed
1 pound orecchiette pasta
4 cloves garlic, sliced

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, and cook, turning occasionally until browned, about 10 minutes. Remove sausage to a plate and reserve pan and sausage drippings.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat. Add a large pinch of salt and broccoli rabe and cook, uncovered, until broccoli rabe is bright green and tender but still slightly crisp, about 5 minutes. Immediately transfer broccoli rabe using tongs to a colander (reserve boiling water) and rinse under cold running water. Chop into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
  • Add pasta to reserved boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente (tender but not mushy), about 12 minutes. Meanwhile, heat reserved pan and drippings over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until it is golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add broccoli rabe, pepper flakes, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt; increase heat to medium-high, and cook, continually stirring, until broccoli rabe is hot and tender, about 5 minutes. Slice sausage into 1/4-inch thick coins and add to pan and mix well cook until sausage is warmed through, about 5 more minutes.
  • Drain pasta in a colander in sink, reserving 1/4 cup of cooking liquid. Toss pasta and liquid with broccoli rabe mixture. Transfer pasta to a serving dish or individual bowls, garnish with Parmesean and serve.

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 PESTO



Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe Pesto image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Categories     main-dish

Time 32m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 bunch broccoli rabe, tough lower stems removed
1/2 cup pistachios, toasted
3/4 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese, plus more for garnish
Kosher salt
1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 pound orecchiette pasta
High-quality extra-virgin olive oil, for finishing (optional)

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Set up a bowl of well-salted ice water. Cook the broccoli rabe in the boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes and then immediately plunge in the salted ice water. This will prevent the broccoli rabe from being overcooked and will set the lovely green color.
  • Drain the broccoli rabe and squeeze out any excess water; coarsely chop. Place the broccoli rabe in the bowl of a food processor and puree until it is a coarse paste. Add the pistachios and parmigiano and puree until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning; you probably will need more salt. Add the ricotta and pulse until combined. Taste for seasoning once again-it should be full-flavored, slightly bitter and creamy at the same time. Set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. (If you are making the pasta right after the pesto, just use the broccoli rabe blanching water.) Cook the pasta 1 minute less than the cooking time on the package.
  • While the pasta is cooking, place the pesto in a large skillet and add about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water; place over medium-high heat. When the pasta is ready, drain and add to the skillet with the pesto. Stir vigorously to combine and cook until the sauce is creamy and heated through, 1 to 2 minutes; add salt to taste. Remove from the heat, add 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil, if desired, and stir vigorously. Garnish with more parmigiano. Voila!

ORECCHIETTE WITH BROCCOLI RABE PESTO & SAUSAGE



Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe Pesto & Sausage image

Categories     Sausage     Broccoli     Broccoli Rabe     Boil

Yield serves: 4 to 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

for the pesto
Kosher salt
2 bunches of broccoli rabe, tough lower stems removed, coarsely chopped into 1-inch lengths
1/2 cup chopped pistachios
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano
Extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup mascarpone
for the pasta
Extra virgin olive oil
1/2 pound Italian sausage, sweet or spicy, casings removed
1 pound orecchiette
Big fat finishing oil
Freshly grated Parmigiano

Steps:

  • FOR THE PESTO
  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Drop the rabe into the water, give it a swish, and remove it immediately, saving the water to cook your pasta in later.
  • Reserve a cup of the rabe. Toss the rest in a food processor and pulse, pulse, pulse until you have a coarse paste. Add the pistachios and Parm and purée until smooth. If it seems dry, drizzle in a little olive oil while the machine is running. Add the mascarpone and pulse until combined; taste for seasoning. It should be slightly bitter, nutty, and creamy at the same time. Reserve.
  • FOR THE PASTA
  • Coat a large sauté pan with olive oil and bring to medium-high heat. Add the sausage, using a spoon to break it up, and cook until brown and crumbly, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Bring your broccoli rabe water back to a boil and toss in the pasta, cooking for 1 minute less than the package recommends. Drain the pasta and add it, along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water, the reserved rabe, and two-thirds of the pesto, to the pan with the sausage. Stir to combine and cook until the water evaporates and the pesto is clinging to the pasta. Remove from the heat, drizzle with some big fat finishing oil, sprinkle with more Parm, and stir vigorously to combine. Divide among bowls and serve immediately.

Tips:

  • Choose orecchiette pasta for its unique shape that holds the pesto sauce well.
  • Use fresh broccoli rabe for a vibrant flavor and crisp texture.
  • Enhance the pesto's flavor by adding lemon zest, Parmesan cheese, and toasted pine nuts.
  • Sweet Italian sausage provides a savory and slightly spicy contrast to the bitter broccoli rabe.
  • To save time, use pre-made pesto sauce, but adjust the seasoning to your taste.
  • Serve the dish immediately after tossing the pasta with the pesto to prevent the pasta from absorbing too much sauce and becoming soggy.

Conclusion:

Orecchiette with Sweet Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pesto is a delightful pasta dish that combines the flavors of sweet Italian sausage, bitter broccoli rabe, and nutty pesto sauce. With its vibrant green color and unique texture, this dish is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe is easy to follow and sure to impress your family and friends. Enjoy this delicious and satisfying meal that celebrates the flavors of Italian cuisine!

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