Oriechette with Broccolini and Sausage

Adapted from Food Network

Broccolini's tender and flavorful soul shines through in this garlicky pasta dish, and the savory sausage will make you come back for seconds. Use stems and florets since ALL of broccolini is good for sauteing and eating! If this doesn't make you eat your green veggies now, then no one can help you. :) 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tsp salt

• 8 ounces orecchiette or other pasta like farfalle or penne or NEW snowdrop pasta

• 1 pound pork sausage, casings removed 

• 1 pound garlic sausage, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced 

• 2 stalks garlic scapes, chopped 

• 8 ounces broccolini, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces, or broccoli

• 1 bell pepper, fresh or frozen, diced (optional)

• 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving 

• Zest and juice of 1 lemon 

• Crushed red pepper flakes

• Freshly ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

• Bring a pot of water to a boil; add a generous amount of salt. Add the orecchiette or other pasta and cook to al dente (take 3 minutes off of the time on the box; it'll finish cooking later). Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain.

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and garlic sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until brown, about 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a plate, keeping the fat in the skillet. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the broccolini, bell pepper if using and garlic scapes and cook until crisp-tender, about 7 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium low. Add the pasta and sausage to the skillet along with the Parmesan, lemon zest and juice, a couple of pinches of crushed red pepper and a bunch of turns of black pepper. Stir in a few tablespoons of the pasta water and continue to cook, stirring, until glossy, adding more pasta water if needed. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired. Sprinkle with more Parmesan before serving.

• As a garnish, feel free to add sour cream or stir in a little mayo to make it creamier like a pasta salad. Enjoy with a slice of crusty bread or crackers.