by Orecchiette with Rapini and Sausage. A quick, easy and popular pasta dish topped with crunchy flavored bread crumbs for a lovely contrast and simply perfect for any day of the week.
At times we want something different than spaghetti or even fettuccine and Italy certainly has its wide range of pastas with every region claiming pride to its own distinct noodle shape.
In Puglia “the heel of the boot” orecchiette otherwise known as “little ears” reign supreme.
Store shelves are lined with these distinctly domed shaped pastas with a cup-like interior making it ideal for scooping up chunky sauces and vegetables. Here, as you toss the orecchiette, the sausage and vegetables become trapped in the hollowed out part of the pasta and flavors every single bite with deliciousness.
If you have never tried bread crumbs on pasta before do give it a try. It simply adds an extra layer of goodness and crunch.
Sometimes store bought breadcrumbs will just not do and this is one dish where fresh and flavorful is essential.
Making your own is supper easy and a great way to use up stale bread. Simply give it a whirl in the food processor or use a box grater. I always have some bread in the freezer which I grate while still frozen, it works wonderfully. 🙂
Rapini or broccoli rabe looks like thin broccoli but is related to the turnip. The taste is somewhat bitter but mellows out during cooking.
All the parts of this vegetable are edible. I simply cut out about 1 inch from the bottom of the stem and use it in my favorite dishes. 🙂
I hope you get to try this absolute family favorite dish!
I’ve updated this recipe from a previous older post with fresh new photos that do this flavorful pasta justice. Also, with a printable template for your convenience!
Buon Appetito!
If you make this recipe remember to tag @marisasitaliankitchen on Instagram so I can see your creation!
Orecchiette with Rapini and Sausage
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 cup plain fresh bread crumbs
- salt and pepper (to your taste)
- 1 large bunch of rapini (cut into 2 inch pieces)
- 500 grams Orecchiette pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or strong (casing removed))
- 3 large cloves of garlic (minced)
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 1 large red bell pepper (cut into 1 inch pieces)
- pinch of red chili flakes
- 1/2 cup Parmegiano-Reggiano cheese (grated)
Instructions
- Heat the 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a small frying pan over medium low heat.
- Add in the breadcrumbs and season with the salt and pepper and toast the bread crumbs for about 6 to 8 minutes or until they turn a deep golden brown. Stir often so that they don't burn then set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to boil and salt generously.
- Add the Orecchiette to the boiling water and stir well.
- Cook according to package instructions while stirring occasionally.
- Three minutes before the end of cooking time, add in the chopped rapini and stir gently.
- While the pasta cooks heat the 1/3 cup of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium low heat.
- Add in the sausage (with casing removed), minced garlic, onion, red pepper and chili flakes.
- Cook while stirring and breaking up the sausage meat with a wooden spoon for about 7 to 10 minutes or until the sausage is nicely browned.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
- When the orechiette is ready, drain the pasta with rapini, toss it with the cooked sausage mixture and stir well.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the grated cheese.
- Plate and serve the paste with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and extra cheese if desired.
- Top with a generous sprinkle of toasted breadcrumbs .
- Serve while still warm and enjoy!
Orecchiette with rapini and sausage is my type of pasta plate!!!!! Looks delicious!!!!mmmmmmm!!!!!
Looking at this dish makes me want to eat it…and when I read the recipe I am even more hungry. Love all your pasta recipes Marisa. I am sorry I haven’t visited your blog for a while. It has been a crazy summer. Hope you are well. T
Hi Teresa, I am well thank you! No worries, I understand all too well how it can get crazy busy especially when we are juggling s few things at a time.
I’m happy to hear your loving my pasta dishes…this one is an all time favourite and never fails to please. Also a great way to get kids to eat their veggies. Thanks so much for dropping by and commenting?
Now thats a tempting and delish platter.
Thanks Vidya, and it’s quite easy to put together!
I love this!
It’s an year round favourite at our house Debbie, thanks so much!
Such a delicious flavor combination. Now I want to run out and get the ingredients to make this.
Lol…hope you get around to it Linda! We never tire of this pasta dish and thanks so much!
I’m a sucker for fun pasta shapes, especially orecchiette! This recipe sounds amazing, and now I’m totally craving crispy breadcrumbs in pasta. I will definitely need to give this one a go!
Nicole you must try the crispy breadcrumbs over pasta at least once and it’s amazing over this pasta dish! Thanks so much!
Hi! I have a orecchiette + sausage recipe – but it uses tomatoes – which I have to avoid just at the moment. This looks appealing! Pressing print!
Diane, my mother-in-law introduced me to this type of pasta dish without the tomatoes which is a lovely change from a tomato based sauce! We enjoy this all year round!
I’ve never heard of orechiette pasta until now. It looks delicious. Your pics have me wanting to lick my screen. lol. Thank you for sharing your recipe. I’m pinning it to try later. 🙂
Lol…Jo orecchiette are one of my favourites whenever I prepare this dish but you can just as easily substitute rotini or farfalle pasta! Maybe one day they’ll invent a smell-a-screen so that we may at least inhale the aromas of a yummy dish ??
This pasta dish looks like a hearty meal! I’ve never heard of orechiette pasta but I’m definitely looking for it the next time I’m at the grocery store. Love how the grooves in the pasta pick up other ingredients in every forkful!
It’s exactly why I love orecchiette pasta whenever I make this dish. All that delicious goodness gets trapped in the hollowed part of the pasta. Thanks so much Leanne!
“little ears’! How fun! I really love rapini in pasta and this recipe looks delicious. Thank you for sharing Marisa 🙂
Yes some Italian pasta shapes do indeed have fun and peculiar names. I love the variety that we can find in specialty shops nowadays. Thank you Lizzy ?
Oh my!!!! I have been making this dish for a few years now, but always revert back to a recipe – so glad I stumbled onto this one, because the addition of toasted bread crumbs is to DIE for!!!!! Now I want to explore everything I can make with them. Took a stellar staple to a whole other level – thank you!!!!
You’re very welcome Alison. And yes the toasted breadcrumbs elevate this classic dish. So happy you enjoyed it!