Orecchiette with Rapini and Sausage
This classic Orecchiette with Rapini and Sausage combines sweet red bell peppers and is finished with freshly toasted breadcrumbs for a deliciously crisp topping.
Servings 6
Calories 841kcal
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil plus 1 tbsp for the breadcrumbs
- 1½ cups plain fresh breadcrumbs
- 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 chilli flakes
- 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese freshly grated
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a small frying pan over medium-low heat.
- Add the breadcrumbs, season with salt and pepper and toast for about 6 to 8 minutes or until deep golden brown. Stir often so that they don't burn. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously.
- Add the Orecchiette to the boiling water and stir well.
- Cook according to the package instructions while stirring occasionally.
- Five minutes before cooking time ends, add in the chopped rapini and stir gently.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 1/3 cup of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-low heat.
- Add the sausage (casing removed), minced garlic, onion, red pepper and chilli flakes.
- Cook, stirring and breaking up the sausage meat with a wooden spoon for about 7 to 10 minutes or until the sausage is nicely browned.
- When the orecchiette is ready, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
- Drain the pasta with rapini and add it to the sausage-and-pepper mixture. Mix well.
- Stir in some of the reserved pasta water to create a creamier sauce. Use only as much as needed.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the grated cheese.
- Plate and serve the pasta 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!
Nutrition
Calories: 841kcal | Carbohydrates: 87g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 904mg | Potassium: 602mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1909IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 229mg | Iron: 4mg