Here’s a delicious recipe for Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli:
### Ingredients:
– 12 oz orecchiette pasta
– 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot, based on preference)
– 1 large head of broccoli, cut into small florets
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
– 1/2 cup chicken broth
– 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
– Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
– Lemon zest (optional)
– Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
### Instructions:
1. **Cook the Pasta:**
– Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
2. **Prepare the Broccoli:**
– In the last 3-4 minutes of the pasta cooking time, add the broccoli florets to the boiling pasta water. This will blanch the broccoli, making it tender yet crisp. Drain the pasta and broccoli together and set aside.
3. **Cook the Sausage:**
– While the pasta and broccoli are cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove the sausage from its casing and crumble it into the skillet. Cook the sausage until it’s browned and cooked through, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks. This should take about 7-10 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
4. **Cook the Garlic:**
– In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for about 1-2 minutes, or until the garlic is fragrant and slightly golden.
5. **Combine Ingredients:**
– Add the cooked sausage back to the skillet along with the drained pasta and broccoli. Pour in the chicken broth and toss everything together over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. If the mixture seems too dry, add some of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
6. **Season and Serve:**
– Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and mix well. For an extra burst of flavor, add a touch of lemon zest and chopped fresh herbs like basil or parsley.
7. **Plate and Enjoy:**
– Serve the orecchiette with sausage and broccoli hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.
Enjoy your hearty and flavorful dish!
