Sweet Italian Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Orecchiette

Difficulty Level: Easy

Total Time: 30 minutes

Serving Size: 2-4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. orecchiette

• 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

• 1/2 lb. sweet Italian sausage

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1/4 tsp crushed red chili flakes (or more if you want extra spice!)

• 1/2 bunch broccoli rabe, cleaned and roughly chopped

• 1/3 cup chicken broth

• Salt to taste

• 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated

• Pasta water as needed

Directions:

1. Bring two pots of water to a boil. One to blanch the broccoli rabe and one to cook the orecchiette.

2. Once the pasta water is boiling, add plenty of salt. Cook the pasta until it's al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.

3. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pan and sauté the sausage over medium-high heat until fully cooked, crumbling the meat with a wooden spoon.

4. Add the minced garlic, salt and red chili flakes. Sauté for a further 1-2 minutes.

5. Add the broccoli rabe to the other pot of boiling water for about 1 minute to soften. Remove using a spider strainer and add directly to the pan with the sausage.

6. Add the chicken broth and let simmer until the broth is mostly absorbed

7. Strain the pasta and add it to the pan. Toss on medium-high heat.

8. Add the Parmigiano and toss again. Add pasta water more chicken broth as needed, 1/4 cup at a time.

9. Plate and top with more Parmigiano.