Wood-Fired Italian Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-12 · Updated 2026-05-12

A smoky, savory pasta dish combining spicy Italian sausage with bitter broccoli rabe, tossed in a garlic and chili-infused olive oil sauce. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs Italian sausage, broccoli rabe, spaghetti 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.

Ingredients

• 12 oz, casings removed Italian sausage
• 10 oz, trimmed and chopped broccoli rabe
• 12 oz spaghetti
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 5, thinly sliced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp, divided salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp, finely grated lemon zest

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water (1 tbsp salt) to a rolling boil over high heat. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed), breaking it up with a spoon, and sauté for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
3. Step 3: Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red pepper flakes to the sausage, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.
4. Step 4: Stir in 10 oz chopped broccoli rabe and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 4-5 minutes until tender but still bright green.
5. Step 5: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, and 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp lemon zest for brightness. Adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed and serve immediately.