This is something that I had in my bookmarks for a while now, and finally just got around to making it last night! While the original recipe I used called for Broccoli Rabe, I am a bit leery of it due to horrible past experiences. I really only found one recipe that I used with it to my liking, but it was still a bit bitter so I thought better of it and stayed away from those tricky little buggers! I bought Orecchiette pasta this past spring to try with a pesto, pea, and mint dish I wanted to try but never got around to it so I am thinking the reason I came across them in my pantry last night was fate… Sigh….
Adapted from http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/04/orecchiette-with-chicken-sausage-and.html
Anyways this is very basic and here is what we did to make it happen…
Ingredients
1- 16oz Pkg Whole Wheat Orecchiette
2 Large Heads of Broccoli; chopped
2 Large Cloves of Garlic; minced
4 Chicken Sausages; casings removed
1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Fresh Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Cup Chicken Broth
Salt & Pepper
Remove the casings from your chicken sausages… I used Al Fresco’s Roasted Garlic Chicken Sausage, very yummy! Probably the only ones I actually like haha!
Cut sausages into thick coins then cook in a skillet over medium heat….
I know that like myself, you have probably been told growing up not to play with your food… this time around I am asking you to! We need to break up the sausages while cooking so that they are broken into bite sized crumbles! YAY
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil then add the Orecchiette and cook according to package for al dente.
Steam broccoli in another pot until tender….
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat then add minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and tender, about 2 minutes. *careful you do not burn garlic
Toss steamed broccoli into the skillet with the garlic….
Add chicken sausage into the skillet as well…
Toss well and stir in chicken broth as well as parmesan cheese.
Continue to cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes….
Drain pasta…
Toss the Orecchiette in with the broccoli and sausage mixture.
Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes and toss once again!
Cook another 3 minutes over medium heat then serve!
Bon Appetit!