Wood-Fired Italian Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pasta
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 ready in about 30 minutes pairs casings removed Italian sausage, trimmed and chopped 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp lemon zest for brightness. Adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Wood-Fired Italian Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Wood-Fired Italian Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pasta?
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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Fired Italian Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pasta?
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 Wood-Fired Italian Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pasta 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 Wood-Fired Italian Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pasta?
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.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
