Cavatelli With Sausage And Broccoli Rabe Recipe

A family favorite recipe passed down through generations! This hearty and flavorful Cavatelli with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe is surprisingly quick to make. Enjoy tender cavatelli pasta tossed in a savory sausage sauce, accented by the slightly bitter bite of broccoli rabe. A comforting and delicious meal perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Calories 904.4 kcal
Protein 69g
Rating 5.0 (1 Reviews)
Cavatelli With Sausage And Broccoli Rabe 30

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Cavatelli With Sausage And Broccoli Rabe

  • 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
  • 1 pound broccoli rabe
  • 1 pound cavatelli
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (or Parmesan)
  • 2 cups reserved pasta cooking water
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

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How to Make Cavatelli With Sausage And Broccoli Rabe

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 pound Italian sausage (removed from casings) and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and crumbly (about 8-10 minutes). Remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
  2. Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 pound cavatelli pasta and 1 pound broccoli rabe. Cook until pasta is al dente (about 11-13 minutes).
  3. Reserve about 2 cups of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta and broccoli rabe.
  4. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the sausage skillet. Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (or more, to taste). Cook until fragrant and lightly golden (about 1 minute).
  5. Pour in 1 cup of the reserved pasta water and simmer for 1 minute.
  6. Add the drained pasta and broccoli rabe to the skillet. Stir to combine.
  7. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  8. Add 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (or Parmesan), stirring to combine and create a creamy sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  9. If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
  10. Add extra cheese before serving if desired. Garnish with fresh parsley (optional) and enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

36 g

Sugar

14g

Fat

70g

Carbs

29g

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