Orecchiette With Broccoli Rabe, Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Goat Cheese

Orecchiette are little bowl shaped pasta that are made by hand with flour and water in Italy, particularly around Puglia. Broccoli rabe is commonly mixed with the pasta, though I added a twist to the traditional recipe by including some chopped sun-dried tomatoes and then serving the hot pasta with a dollop of creamy goat cheese.

Cooks Note: You can also add 1 pound of crumbled sausage meat to this dish for a change in place. Just brown the sausage first, and add to the oil mixture. Generally grated cheese is not offered due to the red peppers, but I do like to add some grated pecorino or parmesan to mine.

Buon Appetito!
Deborah Mele 

Orecchiette With Broccoli Rabe, Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Goat Cheese

Orecchiette With Broccoli Rabe, Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Goat Cheese

Yield: Serves 4 - 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Pound Dried Orecchiette
  • 1 Pound Broccoli Rabe
  • 3 Cloves Garlic, Minced
  • Pinch Of Red Pepper Flakes
  • Salt & Pepper To Taste
  • 1/3 Cup Good Quality Olive Oil
  • 1/4 Cup Finely Chopped Sun-Dried Tomatoes In Oil

Topping:

  • 4 Ounces Creamy Goat Cheese

Instructions

  1. Trim the broccoli rabe by cutting off any tough stems, and chop into 1 inch pieces and peel the skin off the tougher pieces and cut these into 1 inch pieces as well.
  2. In a small saucepan, heat the oil, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and pepper flakes, then set aside.
  3. Heat a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the pasta.
  4. Cook as per package instructions until the last 4-5 minutes of cooking.
  5. Add the broccoli rabe to the pasta pot and cook until tender.
  6. Drain pasta and broccoli, reserving a small cup of pasta water.
  7. Return the pasta mixture to the pot and mix well with the oil mixture, adding water as needed to keep it moist.
  8. Serve piping hot in individual bowls with a dollop of goat cheese on top.

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5 Comments

  1. What a wonderfully, delicious recipe. I ADORE orecchiette, and simply cannot resist sun-dried tomatoes in recipes! YUMMMMMM!

    I hope that you have a wonderful and delicious Thanksgiving!

    Baci,
    Roz

  2. This has allllways been my favorite dish…..I might leave out the sun drieds….but maybe not!!
    Maybe a little sausage thrown in??? HEAVEN!!!!! Thanks so much *-)

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