Easy Barefoot Contessa Orecchiette With Broccoli Rabe And Sausage Recipe

Orecchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage captures the essence of rustic Italian comfort food in a single, soul-warming plate.

Bold flavors dance together, creating a symphony of textures that instantly transport you to a cozy kitchen in Tuscany.

The pasta’s unique ear-shaped design perfectly cradles robust ingredients, ensuring each bite bursts with Mediterranean-inspired goodness.

Spicy sausage provides a rich, meaty undertone that complements the slightly bitter greens, while carefully selected seasonings elevate the entire dish.

Simplicity meets sophistication in this remarkable recipe that celebrates authentic culinary traditions.

Home cooks of all skill levels can confidently recreate this restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort.

Your dinner guests will be thoroughly impressed by the depth of flavor and elegant presentation: dive in and savor every delectable moment.

Why Contessa Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage Stands Out

• Savor Spicy and Robust Flavor Explosion: This recipe combines the peppery kick of broccoli rabe with zesty sausage and red pepper flakes, creating a bold taste profile that dances across your palate with intense, complex notes.
• Master a Quick Weeknight Gourmet Meal: With just 35 minutes from start to finish, this dish transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dinner that looks impressive but requires minimal cooking skills and basic kitchen techniques.
• Enjoy Perfect Pasta Texture Balance: The orecchiette pasta provides a delightful chewy texture that perfectly captures the sauce, while the crispy sausage and slightly tender broccoli rabe offer contrasting mouthfeels in every delicious bite.
• Elevate Comfort Food with Italian Flair: This one-pan meal brings authentic Italian countryside cooking right to your table, transforming everyday ingredients into a sophisticated yet comforting dish that feels both familiar and exciting.

Crucial Ingredients for Contessa Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe

• Orecchiette Pasta: Classic small ear-shaped pasta perfect for catching sauce and ingredients.

• Italian Sausage: Flavorful meat that provides rich, savory depth to the dish. Best when using fresh, high-quality sausage with good fat content.

• Broccoli Rabe: Slightly bitter green vegetable that adds earthy flavor and nutritional value. Fresh, crisp bunches are ideal with bright green leaves.

• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that builds foundational flavor profile. Fresh cloves provide best taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the sauce. Adjust quantity based on spice preference.
• Black Pepper: Provides sharp, warm spiciness to complement other ingredients.
• Salt: Essential seasoning to balance and elevate overall dish flavors.

• Pecorino Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that adds creamy texture and rich flavor. Freshly grated provides best taste.
• Olive Oil: High-quality cooking fat that helps develop sauce and adds smooth richness.

Steps to Prepare Contessa Orecchiette with Sausage

Step 1: Blanch The Broccoli Rabe

Boil a pot of water and add broccoli rabe. Cook for 2-3 minutes until it turns vibrant green. Reserve of cooking water. Immediately transfer broccoli rabe to an ice bath to stop cooking, then drain and set aside.

Step 2: Sizzle The Sausage

• Minced garlic
• Red pepper flakes
• Sausage links

Cook sausages until they’re fully done and develop golden-brown crispy edges, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Combine Broccoli Rabe And Sausage

Toss blanched broccoli rabe into the skillet. Pour in reserved cooking water. Season with salt and black pepper. Increase heat and stir until everything is heated through and well combined.

Step 4: Cook The Pasta

Follow package instructions to cook orecchiette pasta. Aim for al dente texture (slightly firm). Drain pasta when ready.

Step 5: Mix Pasta With Sauce

Return pasta to pot. Add 1/3 of sausage and broccoli rabe mixture. Toss over high heat until thoroughly heated and sauce coats pasta evenly.

Step 6: Plate And Garnish

Transfer pasta to serving dishes. Top with remaining sauce. Generously sprinkle freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese over the dish. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Chef’s Tips for Contessa Orecchiette Dish

• Capture Pasta Water's Magic: Reserve this starchy liquid to transform your sauce into a silky, clingy masterpiece that helps ingredients dance together perfectly.
• Maximize Sausage Flavor: Brown meat thoroughly to unlock deep, rich taste notes that will elevate the entire dish's sensory experience.
• Unleash Spice Potential: Gently toast red pepper flakes with garlic in olive oil, releasing intense aromatics that create a robust flavor foundation.
• Master Al Dente Perfection: Cook orecchiette until just tender, maintaining a slight bite that stands up beautifully to hearty sauce components.
• Cheese Finale Boost: Shower freshly grated Pecorino over the dish, adding a salty, tangy layer that harmonizes with the rich sausage and slightly bitter greens.

Proper Storage for Contessa Orecchiette Meal

Storage Tip:

Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers to extend the meal’s life up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results and texture restoration. Pack leftovers in airtight containers, keeping Pecorino cheese separate to prevent soggy pasta and maintain its crisp texture. Refrigerate the dish for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor. Reheat gently in a skillet with a small splash of water, which helps restore moisture and prevents pasta from becoming dry or tough. Steer clear of microwave reheating, as it can transform tender sausage into rubbery bites and make pasta lose its original delightful consistency. Consume within two days for optimal taste and enjoyment of this delicious orecchiette dish.

Tasty Twists on Contessa Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe

• Veggie Powerhouse: Replace sausage with crumbled plant-based meat or roasted mushrooms for a vegetarian version. Add extra red pepper flakes for bold flavor.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Swap broccoli rabe with spinach and add crumbled feta cheese. Include kalamata olives for an authentic Greek-inspired touch.
• Spicy Seafood Remix: Substitute sausage with fresh shrimp or crab meat. Use same cooking method but reduce red pepper flakes for lighter heat profile.
• Rustic Autumn Style: Incorporate roasted butternut squash cubes instead of broccoli rabe. Sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top for extra crunch and nutty undertones.

Concluding Note on Contessa Orecchiette and Sausage

Italian culinary magic emerges through Barefoot Contessa’s orecchiette masterpiece.

Robust sausage harmonizes with slightly bitter broccoli rabe, creating Mediterranean symphony on plates.

Pecorino cheese adds salty complexity to each remarkable bite.

Salt and pepper whisper classic flavor profiles across this authentic dish.

Pasta lovers will discover robust comfort in balanced ingredient combinations.

Connections between traditional techniques and modern palates shine brightly – share this recipe, comment with passion, and spread delightful Italian kitchen wisdom among friends and family.

Barefoot Contessa Orecchiette With Broccoli Rabe And Sausage Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s orecchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage blends Italian countryside flavors in one hearty pasta dish. Rich sausage and slightly bitter greens create a perfect harmony that satisfies your craving for authentic, rustic comfort on a plate.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) dried orecchiette pasta
• 1 pound (454 grams) broccoli rabe (1 bunch)
• 1 pound (454 grams) spicy Italian sausage

Seasoning and Aromatics:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
• 5 large garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or ½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper flakes)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Liquid and Finishing Ingredient:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) broccoli rabe water – reserved from when you blanch the broccoli rabe
• Pecorino Romano cheese, freshly-grated

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Instructions

1. Submerge broccoli rabe in rapidly boiling water for 2-3 minutes until it transforms into a vibrant emerald green. Reserve one cup of the cooking liquid, then immediately transfer the vegetable to an ice bath to halt the cooking process. Thoroughly drain and set aside.
2. Warm extra virgin olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Introduce minced garlic and red pepper flakes, allowing them to release their aromatic oils. Incorporate Italian sausage and sauté, frequently rotating until the meat develops a rich golden-brown exterior and reaches complete internal doneness.
3. Carefully fold the blanched broccoli rabe into the skillet. Pour in the reserved cooking liquid, then season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Increase the heat and toss ingredients until they are heated through and well-integrated.
4. Simultaneously, prepare orecchiette pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions. Aim for an al dente texture, ensuring the pasta maintains a slight firmness when bitten.
5. Drain the pasta, returning it to the original cooking pot. Introduce approximately one-third of the sausage and broccoli rabe mixture, stirring vigorously over high heat to create a cohesive coating.
6. Transfer the pasta to serving dishes, generously garnishing with remaining sauce and a liberal sprinkle of aged Pecorino Romano cheese. Serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Sausage and broccoli rabe create a harmonious balance of rich, spicy, and slightly bitter flavors that dance on your palate.
• Orecchiette’s unique curved shape acts like a tiny bowl, perfectly capturing sauce and ingredients in every delightful bite.
• Blanching greens beforehand softens their sharp edge while maintaining that gorgeous, vibrant emerald color.
• High-heat cooking in a single pan ensures quick preparation, preserving nutrients and preventing vegetable texture from turning mushy.
• Pecorino cheese sprinkled on top provides a salty, tangy finale that elevates the entire dish’s flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling, Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 670 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg