We love making this Orecchiette pasta dish during the cooler seasons.
With the simplest of ingredients, this recipe comes together easily for weeknights or is lovely to serve to guests.
This orecchiette with sausage and broccoli is sure to become a new favourite!
This dish is THE most tested recipe on the blog! We started making this Orecchiette pasta recipe a few years ago and now my husband has absolutely perfected our recipe.
When we need an easy, comforting pasta this we always come back to this Orecchiette pasta with Sausage and Broccoli.
Perhaps you’ve seen similar recipes where broccoli rabe or broccolini is used. Instead, we simply use chopped broccoli in our version.
So what else do you need to make this Orecchiette pasta dish?!
Orecchiette Pasta Recipe Ingredients
Orecchiette: This ‘bowl-shaped’ pasta is the base for this recipe.
Italian Sausage: We like to use spicy italian sausage but you can certainly use mild.
Broccoli: Chopped broccoli adds the bright vibrant colour to this dish.
Garlic & Shallots: Adds depth of flavour when cooking this dish.
Red Pepper / Chile Flakes: Just a bit more heat if you’re so inclined.
Pasta Water: The pasta water is a bit starchy so it acts as a thickening agent, adding a richness to the dish and the salt content adds extra flavour. And don’t fret if you forget to reserve the pasta water, chicken broth works well too.
Parmesan Cheese: Finish this pasta with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese!
Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli
Make your family an indulgent and filling weeknight meal with this Orecchiette pasta recipe; with sausage & broccoli you cannot go wrong!
Ingredients
- 350-400 grams orecchiette pasta about 3/4 lb or 3/4 of a package of pasta
- 1 1/2 cups reserved pasta water
- 3 tbsp extra virigin olive oil
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper / chili flakes
- 3 spicy or mild italian sausage, removed from casing
- 4 cups chopped broccoli (small broccoli florets) about 2 heads broccoli
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
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Cook orecchiette pasta according to package directions and reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta water. Then drain pasta and set aside.
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In a large skillet or pot, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Once warm, add shallots and sauté 2-3 minutes until starting to soften.
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Add minced garlic and red pepper / chili flakes and sauté 2-3 more minutes.
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Then, add sausage (that's been removed from the casing) and cook for 8-10 minutes until done, breaking into smaller pieces as it cooks.
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Stir in broccoli with a pinch of pepper, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/2 cup pasta water. Cook until broccoli is tender about 7-10 minutes.
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Finally, stir in the cooked orecchiette pasta and the rest of the pasta water, cooking for 2 more minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. Serve with remaining parmesan cheese.
Recipe Notes
And don't fret if you forget to reserve the pasta water, chicken broth works well too.
You may just find yourself like us, eating forkful after forkful of pasta right from the pot!
Want to make this orecchiette pasta as a part of a full dinner menu for guests?
Oreccheitte Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Serving Ideas:
Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad
Baked Pears with Cardamom Cream
Sometimes enjoying this pasta just on it’s own with a simple arugula salad tossed with lemon juice and olive oil plus a piece of baguette is the way to go too.
Looking for more pasta recipe inspiration?!
More pasta recipes to try from the blog:
Easy Cheesy Shells (from my Gatherings e-cookbook)
Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess
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