Orecchiette with sausage

Here’s a delicious recipe for Orecchiette with Sausage:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound orecchiette pasta
• 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, as you prefer), casings removed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 bunch broccoli rabe, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces (you can substitute with broccoli if preferred)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta:
   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
2. Cook the sausage:
   • While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté the vegetables:
   • In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the garlic and onion, and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. If using red pepper flakes, add them now and cook for another minute.
4. Cook the broccoli rabe:
   • Add the broccoli rabe to the skillet and cook until it begins to wilt, about 5 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth and cook until the broccoli rabe is tender, about 5 more minutes.
5. Combine everything:
   • Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir to combine. Add the drained orecchiette to the skillet and mix well. If the mixture seems dry, add some of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
6. Finish the dish:
   • Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, with extra Parmesan cheese on the side if desired.

Enjoy your meal!