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Lidia's Penne with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage

The broccoli rabe and sausage go well with the short tubular pastas like ziti or penne.

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • a pinch of salt plus more for the pasta water
  • a pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 pound of penne or ziti pasta
  • 1/4 pound about 2 sausages sweet Italian sausage, removed from the casings and crumbled
  • 1 pound broccoli rabe, cut into small pieces
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan plus more for the table

Instructions

  • Put a large pot of salted water onto boil while you prep everything else. (Prep veg and crumble sausage.)
  • Heat the olive oil in a large heavy skillet with a lid. Add the garlic and cook about 2 minutes.
  • Start the pasta cooking and cook until al dente.
  • Add the sausage meat to the oil and cook about 5 minutes, stirring and breaking up the meat.
  • Add the broccoli rabe, salt, pepper flakes and 1/2 cup pasta water. (Just ladle it out of the pot.) Stir together, bring to a simmer and cover. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring now and then.
  • Take the lid off and cook uncovered over high heat about 3 minutes, until the liquids reduce a bit.
  • Drain the pasta and add it to the pan, mixing everything together. Add the 1/4 cup grated cheese and toss. Serve with extra cheese at the table.