Rustic Italian Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Traditional orecchiette pasta tossed with savory Italian sausage and slightly bitter broccoli rabe for a balanced and hearty meal. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs orecchiette pasta, casings removed Italian sausage, thinly sliced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water (1 tsp salt) to a boil. Add 12 oz orecchiette pasta and cook for 9-11 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed) and break it up with a spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes to the sausage and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 bunch chopped broccoli rabe to the skillet with 1/2 tsp salt. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring, until the greens are tender and bright green.
  5. Step 5: Toss the drained pasta into the skillet with the sausage and broccoli rabe mixture. Add reserved 1/2 cup pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
  6. Step 6: Season with remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese just before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Rustic Italian Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Rustic Italian Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep orecchiette pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Italian Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Rustic Italian Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Rustic Italian Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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