| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 590 | 26g | 8g | 58g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 4g | 5g | 28g | 1.8g |
Each family has their unique variant of a cherished recipe, and for me, it’s the heavenly mixture of Rapini Pasta with Spicy Sausage. This aromatic dish sings with a medley of vibrant flavors and textures, invoking fond memories of bustling family dinners around the cozy kitchen table back in Texas. It harmonizes the traditional Southern comfort food with a delightful Italian twist, offering a colorful and mouthwatering canvas of savory, spicy, and robust ingredients.
A Fusion of Flavors
Rapini Pasta with Spicy Sausage is a unique concoction that blends two of my favorite culinary worlds—Tex-Mex and Italian. The biting zest of rapini, the robust meatiness of spicy Italian sausage, the creamy cheese, and the hint of lemon zest all fuse together into an indulgent ode to my Southern roots and love for Italian cuisine. It’s reminiscent of a classic Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe, but with a punchy kick from the sausages turning it into a hearty, comforting dish that’s perfect for any season.
Wholesome, Nutrient-Packed Ingredients
But more than just its unforgettable flavors, what I particularly adore about this recipe is its wonderful health benefits. Rapini, also known as broccoli rabe, is teeming with vitamins A, C, and K, packed with calcium, iron, and potassium, and high in dietary fiber, making it a worthy superfood. Pair it with the protein-rich spicy Italian sausage and energy-giving pasta, you’ve got yourself a well-rounded, nutrient-dense meal that doesn’t compromise on taste or enjoyment.
This mouth-watering dish sits perfectly alongside a simple roasted plum tomato salad to balance the flavors, or with a crisp piece of garlic bread for dipping. For anyone exploring healthy but flavorful alternatives to regular pasta recipes, you’ll find this Rapini Pasta with Spicy Sausage the perfect place to start!
Each scoop of this enticing pasta carries the warmth of home, the merriment of shared meals, and the satisfaction of a well-nourished body. It’s my humble pleasure to share it with you, hoping it might find place on your dining table, embraced by your loved ones as it’s in mine. Enjoy the memorable taste of the South with every hearty plate of Rapini Pasta with Spicy Sausage!
What You’ll Need
- 12 ounces of rapini (broccoli rabe)
- 1 pound of spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 pound of penne pasta
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 cup of fresh cherry tomatoes, halved
Method
Step One
Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in penne and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
Step Two
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until it is browned and no longer pink, around 10 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Step Three
Using the fat left behind from the sausage in the same skillet, add the garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the rapini (broccoli rabe) to the skillet and stir to coat in the garlic and pepper flakes. Cook until wilted, approximately 3-4 minutes.
Step Four
Add the sausage back to the skillet with the rapini. Stir in the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and cherry tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Let this cook together for about 2 minutes so the flavors can meld together.
Step Five
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together ensuring the pasta is coated with the juices from the skillet. If it seems too dry, add more olive oil. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, until it is melted and the pasta is coated.
Step Six
Adjust seasoning if needed and serve the pasta hot with extra cheese on the side. Enjoy your Rapini Pasta with Spicy Sausage!
