Skillet Suppers
20130218-skillet-suppers-kale-pasta.jpg

[Photographs: Yasmin Fahr]

I used spicy Italian-style chicken sausage for this recipe, but you can use turkey or pork as well. The amount of fat rendered from the sausage may vary, so just keep an eye on that when making the next step of the recipe. Because I love my food on the spicy side, I'd also recommend adding some extra dried red chile flakes to the oil when you add the garlic the pan for just an extra kick of heat.

About the Author: Yasmin Fahr is a food lover, writer, and cook. Follow her @yasminfahr for more updates on her eating adventures and discoveries, which will most likely include tomatoes. And probably feta. Happy eating!

Every recipe we publish is tested, tasted, and Serious Eats-approved by our staff. Never miss a recipe again by following @SeriousRecipes on Twitter!

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound spicy Italian-style chicken or pork sausage
  • 1 pound broccoli rabe, coarse stems removed and leaves roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated with a Microplane (about 2 teaspoons)
  • Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 4 cups homemade or store-bought low sodium chicken broth
  • 3 cups whole wheat or regular dried orecchiette
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed juice and 1 teaspoon zest from 1 lemon
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce)
  • Homemade or store-bought breadcrumbs

Procedures

  1. Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it apart, until no longer pink, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer sausage to a plate. Add broccoli rabe and sautée until just beginning to wilt, about 2 minutes. Add to plate with sausage. Drain all but 1 tablespoon fat. Add the garlic and pepper flakes (if using) and cook, stirring constantly until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

  2. Add the broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add the pasta and adjust heat to maintain strong, active bubbles. Cook until just not quite tender, 7 to 9 minutes minutes, maintaining active bubbles in the liquid. Return broccoli rabe and sausage to pan and continue to cook, stirring occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking, until pasta is fully cooked and broccoli is tender, about 3 minutes longer.

  3. Remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper, and stir in lemon juice and zest. Stir in the cheese, place into serving bowls and top with the breadcrumbs. Serve