Description
A comforting and flavorful one-pot pasta dish featuring tender Italian sausage, slightly bitter broccoli rabe, and creamy burrata cheese, all brightened with fresh lemon zest and juice. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, this recipe combines the ease of a single pot with vibrant Italian flavors for a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 12 ounces short pasta (such as orecchiette or penne)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 bunch broccoli rabe (trimmed and chopped)
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 balls burrata cheese (torn into pieces)
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
- Brown the sausage: In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes: Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the sausage. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Cook the broccoli rabe: Stir in the chopped broccoli rabe and sauté for 2–3 minutes until it is slightly wilted but still vibrant and tender.
- Combine pasta and flavorings: Return the cooked pasta to the pot along with the lemon zest and juice, Parmesan cheese, and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until creamy and well combined.
- Season: Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
- Add burrata and garnish: Off the heat, top the pasta with torn pieces of burrata cheese and garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
- Serve: Serve immediately while warm and creamy for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a milder green, substitute spinach or kale for the broccoli rabe.
- Add more lemon juice to brighten the dish to your taste.
- Burrata is best added just before serving to maintain its creamy texture.
