Rigatoni with Broccoli Rabe & Crumbled Sausage

 

       Okay so this meal wasn’t supposed to be “bloggable”. But after I threw it together in a pinch, ate 1 too many servings of it, scraped every last drop for the leftovers, I had to report back to you!

             The funny thing is I don’t know why I always feel cooking pasta is a 1-2-3 meal. When in reality, it is not! Confused? Yeah, you should be as I just told you this was thrown together in a pinch! See that’s the annoying thing with pasta, the sauce and noodles cook and create a meal in a snap, while the freakin’ pots and pans take all night!

            So while this dinner will be ready in less than 30 minutes, it’s the mess waiting for you in the kitchen that will have you itching to get on that couch. I sadly don’t have a solution for you in that department though. Sorry my friends, I only bring you edibles, not miracles! Enjoy…

Rigatoni with Broccoli Rabe & Crumbled Sausage

Serves: 2-3

OBJ: TCW be able to convince her husband that broccoli rabe isn’t like broccoli

Ingredients:

½ lb rigatoni pasta, or any other hollowed out tube-shaped version

2 sweet or hot sausage links, casings removed

1 bunch broccoli rabe, rinsed, ends removed and coarsely chopped

2 TBS extra virgin olive oil

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

½ C low sodium chicken broth

¼ C dry white wine, I use Pinot Grigio but use what you booze!

1 TBS unsalted butter

S & P: salt and pepper

Red chili flakes, optional

Freshly grated Parmesan

Procedures:

1. Boil pasta water and cook according to package directions, adding broccoli rabe into water with 4 minutes remaining

2. Meanwhile, heat oil over medium heat, add sausage, garlic and S & P (chili flakes too if you’re using). Cook over medium-low heat, crumbling up sausage as it cooks with a wooden spoon. Cook until sausage is browned and garlic is softened (about 10-12 minutes). Remove sausage with a slotted spoon to paper towel-lined plate

3. Add wine to the remaining oil and garlic, stir up pieces on bottom of pan. Bring wine to boil, then lower flame to let wine simmer and reduce, about 5 minutes

4. Add sausage, chicken broth, butter and a pinch more S & P into pan and stir well over medium heat. Cover and keep on low flame for 5 minutes

5. Uncover pan, add drained pasta and broccoli rabe, about 3 TBS Parmesan  and stir well over medium-high flame ( If too dry, add more broth 2 TBS at a time )

6. Top with additional Parmesan, bring to the table and serve!