Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound orecchiette pasta
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 bunches broccoli rabe, washed and trimmed
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Salt and Pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, bring salted water to boil and cook orecchiette pasta until it is al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water and set it aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat up olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet and cook until the garlic is fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
3. Add the broccoli rabe to the skillet and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the broccoli rabe has wilted, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the broccoli rabe and toss it until they are well combined. At this point, if the pasta looks dry, add reserved pasta water, one spoon at a time, to loosen things up.
5. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta mixture. Serve hot.

Verdict:

Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe is a simple and delicious pasta dish. The combination of bitter but flavorful broccoli rabe with spicy garlic and olive oil creates a well-balanced one-pot meal that is sure to satisfy every palate. The final result is a comforting and fulfilling pasta dish, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Serving Suggestions:

This dish can be served as a standalone meal or with a side salad. You can also have it accompanied with garlic bread, toasted bread, or croutons. To make it a bit more fun, you can try adding crispy pancetta or Italian sausage to add a meaty flavor to it.