Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe

To say that I love broccoli rabe would be an understatement. I can eat bowls of it on it’s own, but orecchiette with broccoli rabe has to be one of my top five favorite pasta dishes! Many people are used to seeing this dish with sausage added, which I also have a recipe posted for, but the authentic recipe only contains orecchiette and broccoli rabe. It’s so simple and so delicious.

Ingredients

1lb orecchiette

2 bunches of broccoli rabe, cleaned, trimmed, and chopped

2 gloves of garlic, sliced thin

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 anchovy fillets

1 tsp Calabrian chili peppers

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil

In another large pot, add your extra virgin olive oil, garlic, calabrian chili peppers, and anchovies. Cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes.

Add your broccoli rabe to the pot and cover. Allow to cook down for 8-10 minutes on medium heat until it wilts and becomes more tender

Add your orecchiette to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions (if using homemade orecchiette, they only need to cook 3-4 minutes but taste to see when al dente)

Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water to use later

Drain your pasta and add it to the pot with the broccoli rabe and toss to combine everything

If you think it needs it, add a little of the pasta water to the dish

Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and serve

Buon appetito!

NOTE: If you’re not a fan of anchovies, you really do not taste them. They just give a nice saltiness to the dish!