Orecchiette with Broccoli and Beef
A delightful pasta dish combining orecchiette, broccoli, and beef sausage for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound broccoli florets
- 12 ounces orecchiette pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound beef sausage (casings removed)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: In the same pot with the broccoli water, add the orecchiette pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the Beef Sausage: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the beef sausage, breaking it up as it cooks, for about 5 to 7 minutes until browned. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked broccoli to the skillet with the sausage. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Pour in about ½ cup of reserved pasta water and add the cooked orecchiette.
- Toss and Finish: Toss everything together and cook for a couple more minutes to combine the flavors. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Toss well to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan if desired.
Notes
For a creamier dish, consider adding a splash of heavy cream before serving. You can substitute the beef sausage with chicken sausage for a lighter option.