If you're Italian, you always have a bunch of rapini (broccoli rabe) in your fridge. Either it's already cooked or is waiting to be cooked and added to a delicious dish. Some people might scrunch their noses when they hear "broccoli rabe" because of its notorious bitter taste, but when you make it like Mama Donna, Nonna Shushu, and Chef Rosabrina you will forget that bitter taste was ever a thing. Broccoli rabe, sausage and angel hair pasta is one of my boyfriend's favorite dishes. It's definitely his number 1 comfort meal, so I make sure to always have it on our weekly dinner menu. You know what they say, a way to a man's heart is through his stomach lol ha ha ha ;P
Ingredients:
about 4-5 servings
1 lb hot or sweet ground Italian sausage (check the tips below for other options)
1 bunch of rapini/broccoli rabe
1/2 lb pasta (angel hair or orrechiette are the OG best with this)
5 cloves of garlic sliced
about 3 tbsp olive oil
salt
pepper
garlic powder
optional: grated parmigiana cheese
Instructions:
Bring a 6 quart pot of water to a roaring boil.
While you wait for the water to boil, prepare the broccoli rabe. You will want to follow these steps very closely, as this preparation of the broccoli rabe is what will get it to not taste so bitter.
Cut off 1/4 inch of each stem.
Then, you will take each individual piece that has a thick stem and score it on the bottom. If you don't know what that means, it means to cut up the stem just a tiny bit, about an 1/8 inch and make a cross on it with your knife. (This is you blessing it and taking away the bitterness). See my videos linked below for a visual. The ones with the tiny stems don't need to be scored.
Wash each piece individually.
Once the pot is boiling, add in 1 teaspoon of salt. Let it dissolve and give the salt water mixture a little mix.
Add in the broccoli rabe and lower the heat a smidgen. Cook 3-5 minutes, or until the water turns a lime green. Remove the broccoli rabe into a separate dish or bowl. You can drain the water with a colander in the sink, but I like to just remove it to a separate bowl with tongs so that some water is reserved for the final dish. You can keep the broccoli rabe whole or use a pair of kitchen knives to cut the vegetable into bite size pieces. Or use a knife and cutting board, but why add more things to clean in the end ya know?
Heat up a pan on medium-high heat and then add about 2 tbsp of olive oil.
Add in your sliced garlic and cook 2 minutes. Don't burn it!
Next, add in the sausage. You'll want to add a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and garlic powder to this. Not too much because you'll be adding more later. Break apart the sausage and let her cook.
Cook about 15 minutes or until the sausage is completely cooked through. Continuously break apart the meat so the chunks aren't TOO big, unless you like it chunky. Place the sausage on low and add in the broccoli rabe. Mix it together.
While the sausage is cooking, either bring the broccoli rabe water back to a boil or fill another pot up with water and bring it to a boil.
When the water starts boiling, add in 1/2 tsp of salt, mix it up and then add in your pasta of choice. Cook al dente according to the directions on the box or bag.
When the pasta is done boiling, use a slotted spoon or tongs (depending on the type of pasta you are eating) to place the cooked pasta into the pan with the sausage and broccoli rabe. Same thing as the broccoli rabe- I don't like to drain the water fully, because I like the extra water that comes off of the pasta into the main dish.
Add about a 1/2 tbsp or a sprinkle of olive oil and another sprinkle of salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the pan and mix until everything is fully incorporated. Try a little bite to see if the seasonings are good and adjust accordingly. THEN, PLATE, add some grated parm on top if you want, AND ENJOY <3
Tips
Not sure about your seasonings and don't trust your sprinkle? Start with a little less than an 1/8 of a tsp for each seasoning each time you season.
Want to prep this before? Cook the sausage and broccoli rabe up to a day before. Add both together into one bowl and tightly cover. When ready to eat, reheat the broccoli rabe and sausage while the pasta water is boiling and then follow the rest of the steps. You can make the pasta/entire dish the night before or morning of too, but if using angel hair or spaghetti be careful as it is more prone to break apart when you reheat it.
Don't like sausage? Opt for chicken, steak or even fish. Cooking times will definitely vary, but it'll still be so good. Sometimes I will marinate my chicken in balsamic with salt, pepper, and garlic powder for this dish and it's chef's kiss.
Want to make this dish even more fancy? Add about 2 cups of vodka sauce to the pan after you combine the broccoli rabe and sausage while waiting for the pasta.
If you like sliced sausage better, just get sausage links and cook them separately in a pan then slice it into the pieces you'd like before mixing it together with the garlic and broccoli rabe.
Video Tutorials:
This recipe is home in a dish. Broccoli rabe cooked any way will always remind me of the people I love and will always be a staple in my diet. The pasta and sausage just make it 1000x better.
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you make this with a little extra love everytime❤️🔥