Orecchiette with Turkey Sausage and Broccoli Rabe

Name: Orecchiette with Turkey Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H15M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H15M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT0H30M0.000S
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: italian
Ingredients: 2 bunches broccoli rabe, stems trimmed; 1 pound orecchiette pasta; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1 pound turkey Italian-style sausage, casings removed; 3 garlic cloves, minced; Pinch dried crushed red pepper flakes; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan; 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, chopped; 1 stalk celery, chopped; 1 carrot, chopped; 2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes; 4 to 6 basil leaves; 2 dried bay leaves; Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional

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Level: Easy
Total: 30 min

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 15 min

Yield: 4 servings

Level: Easy
Total: 30 min

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 15 min

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

2 bunches broccoli rabe, stems trimmed

1 pound orecchiette pasta

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound turkey Italian-style sausage, casings removed

3 garlic cloves, minced

Pinch dried crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Simple Tomato Sauce:

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes

4 to 6 basil leaves

2 dried bay leaves

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional

Directions

Watch how to make this recipe.

Cook the broccoli rabe in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp tender, about 1 minute. Transfer the broccoli rabe to a large bowl of ice water to cool, saving the cooking water. Bring the reserved cooking water back to a boil.
Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up into pieces with a spoon, until browned and juices form, about 12 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, and saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Meanwhile, when the reserved cooking water is boiling, add the orecchiette and cook until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
Strain the broccoli rabe and add it to the pan with the sausage mixture and toss to coat with the juices. Add the pasta to the skillet. Stir in the Parmesan and serve immediately.

Simple Tomato Sauce:

In a large casserole pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add celery and carrot and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, basil, and bay leaves and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and taste for seasoning. If sauce tastes too acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, to round out the flavor.
Pour half the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and then pour 1 to 2 cup portions into plastic freezer bags. Freeze for up to 6 months.