Description
This One Pot Lemony Pasta with Sausage, Broccoli Rabe, and Burrata is a vibrant and hearty Italian-American dish featuring perfectly cooked short pasta tossed with savory Italian sausage, slightly bitter broccoli rabe, and crowned with creamy burrata cheese. The zesty lemon and Parmesan create a luscious sauce that brings all the flavors together in a single pot for an easy yet impressive meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 ounces short pasta (like orecchiette or rigatoni)
- 1 bunch broccoli rabe, trimmed and chopped
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Protein and Dairy
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 8 ounces burrata cheese, torn into pieces
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Oils
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Additional
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta and Broccoli Rabe: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the short pasta and cook until just al dente according to the package instructions. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the chopped broccoli rabe directly to the pasta water. Drain both pasta and broccoli rabe together, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
- Brown the Sausage: In the same large pot or a separate large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Sauté Garlic and Spice: Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the cooked sausage. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Return the drained pasta and broccoli rabe to the pot with the sausage and garlic mixture. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water and toss everything together thoroughly to combine and create a silky sauce. Add more pasta water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Season and Serve: Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Top the pasta with torn burrata cheese and garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- Substitute broccoli rabe with broccolini or kale for a milder flavor.
- Use spicy Italian sausage for extra heat, or sweet Italian sausage for a more balanced dish.
- Make sure to reserve enough pasta water as it is key to creating the silky sauce.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the burrata’s creamy texture at its best.
