The first time I made this orecchiette pasta recipe, I intended to eat a bowl of it for lunch. I did end up eating it for lunch that day, but a bowl never entered the picture. Instead, I stood at the stove, eating forkful after forkful of orecchiette straight from the skillet! The recipe is my plant-based riff on a classic Italian pasta dish – orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe. I adore broccoli rabe, especially in the wintertime. It’s vibrant and nourishing, and it has a distinct bitter and peppery flavor. I often serve it as a side dish, but I wanted to find a way to feature it in a larger recipe for the blog. Enter: this orecchiette pasta! In it, the bitter broccoli rabe plays off sweet caramelized onions and savory sun-dried tomatoes. As I had hoped, the dish is a fantastic showcase of my beloved broccoli rabe. Better yet, it’s a delicious dinner for a winter weeknight.
Orecchiette Recipe Ingredients
Ready to cook? Here’s what you’ll need:
Orecchiette, of course! I love the way this tiny ear-shaped pasta cups around the other ingredients. Plant-based Italian sausage – I don’t cook with plant-based meat substitutes often, so when I do, I feel that they contribute something essential to the final dish. Here, the sausage adds hearty, meaty texture and rich savory flavor. Broccoli rabe – It adds delicious bitter flavor and vibrant color to this pasta dish. Caramelized onions – If you don’t already have caramelized onions on hand, making them will be your first step. The process takes about an hour, but you can prep them well in advance. They keep in the fridge for up to a week! Sun-dried tomatoes – They amp up the savory flavor. Garlic – For sharp depth of flavor. White wine – It gives the pasta complexity and tang. Lemon juice and zest – For brightness. Pine nuts – For crunch!
Toss it all with crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to make the flavors pop! Finish the pasta with a shower of Parmesan cheese, or, if you’re vegan, skip it. This orecchiette pasta is plenty flavorful without it. Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Orecchiette Pasta Serving Suggestions
Thanks to the sausage and broccoli rabe, this orecchiette is hearty and satisfying. Jack and I often enjoy it as a meal on its own, but it’s also excellent with a salad on the side. For a quick, easy, and delicious salad, toss mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette, Italian dressing, or Greek salad dressing. The orecchiette would also pair nicely with these salad recipes:
Homemade Caesar Salad Green Bean Salad Italian Chopped Salad Pear Salad with Balsamic and Walnuts Citrus Salad with Fennel and Avocado
Round out the meal with focaccia, dinner rolls, or good crusty bread. Enjoy!
More Favorite Pasta Recipes
If you love this orecchiette recipe, try one of these hearty pastas next:
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Linguine with Lemon and Tomatoes Butternut Squash Ravioli Fettuccini Alfredo Easy Baked Ziti Best Vegetarian Lasagna Or any of these 25 Easy Pasta Recipes!
