Baked Pasta With Broccoli Rabe And Sausage Recipes

BAKED PASTA WITH SAUSAGE & BROCCOLI RABE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large, deep, ovenproof skillet or braiser pan, cook the sausage in the olive oil over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until nicely browned and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the fennel seeds and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Season the sauce with salt and pepper.
• In a pot of boiling water, cook the pasta 2 minutes less than the package suggests. Add the broccoli rabe and cook with the pasta for 1 minute. Scoop out ¾ cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander. Return the pasta and broccoli rabe to the pot. Fold in the sauce, heavy cream, reserved pasta water, and half of the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
• Transfer the mixture to the skillet or braiser pan and scatter the remaining cheeses on top. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until bubbling and browned. Let stand for a few minutes, then garnish with basil and serve.

PASTA WITH SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI RABE

Steps:

• Cut the broccoli rabe into 3 to 4 inch pieces, discarding the stems. In a large pot of rapidly boiling water, blanch the broccoli rabe until tender and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Before you drain broccoli rabe, reserve 1 cup of cooking liquid. Drain and rinse the broccoli rabe with cold water until it has cooled off. Spread it out on a towel to finish draining.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water according to package directions until al dente.
• While the pasta is cooking, place 2 tablespoons of water into a cold skillet with garlic and sausage and then turn heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is golden and sausage is cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Pour reserved broccoli water into pan with sausage.
• When the pasta is cooked, drain it and place back in pot you cooked it in and season with salt. Pour sausage sauce over pasta and stir in cooked broccoli rabe. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve immediately.
• If the Queen's coming to dinner: Garnish with fresh bread crumbs and/or freshly grated pecorino Romano or parmesan cheese.

SAUSAGE, MOZZARELLA, AND BROCCOLI RABE WITH SHELLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is golden brown, 15 minutes (reduce heat if browning too quickly).
• Add garlic and sausage. Cook, breaking meat up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, breaking them up with spoon. Cook sauce until slightly thickened, 5 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Discard thyme.
• Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta 4 minutes less than package instructions. Add broccoli rabe to pot and cook 15 seconds. Drain pasta and broccoli rabe and return to pot. Stir in sausage mixture. Transfer to a 3-quart baking dish or divide among four 16-ounce gratin dishes. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake until cheese has melted and liquid is bubbling, about 15 minutes.