Description
This 20-minute meal is a true lifesaver for busy weeknights. It combines the traditional Italian ‘little ears’ pasta with vibrant broccoli rabe, punchy garlic, and salty Pecorino Romano for a restaurant-quality dinner that comes together in a single pot. It is the perfect balance of savory, garlicky, and fresh flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound Orecchiette pasta
- 2 bunches Broccoli Rabe (Cime di Rapa), washed and chopped into 2-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust for heat)
- 4 anchovy fillets (optional, for savory depth)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the Water: Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tablespoon of salt, and bring to a rolling boil.
- Cook Pasta and Greens: Add orecchiette to the boiling water. Set a timer for 5 minutes less than the package instructions. When the timer goes off, add the chopped broccoli rabe to the same pot and continue boiling until the pasta is al dente.
- Sauté the Aromatics: While the pasta boils, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced garlic, red pepper flakes, and anchovies. Mash the anchovies with a wooden spoon until they dissolve and the garlic is golden.
- Combine and Emulsify: Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water, then drain the pasta and broccoli rabe. Add them to the skillet with the garlic oil.
- Toss and Finish: Increase heat to medium-high and add half of the reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously to create a silky sauce. Turn off the heat and stir in most of the Pecorino Romano and the lemon juice.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve in wide bowls topped with the remaining cheese and a drizzle of fresh olive oil.
Notes
If broccoli rabe is too bitter for your taste, you can substitute with broccolini or regular broccoli florets. Don’t skip the pasta water—it is the secret to making the oil and cheese turn into a smooth sauce. For a protein boost, this dish pairs perfectly with crumbled Italian sausage.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 15mg