BROCCOLI BOLOGNESE WITH ORECCHIETTE

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Broccoli Bolognese with Orecchiette image

Broccoli and sausage pair up for an indulgent veg-heavy pasta dinner.

Provided by Adam Rapoport

Categories     Bon Appétit     Pasta     Dinner     Sausage     Broccoli     Garlic     Butter     Parmesan

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 large head of broccoli (1 1/4-1 1/2 pounds), cut into florets, stalk peeled and coarsely chopped
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
4 garlic cloves, smashed
12 ounces fresh Italian sausage (about 3 links), casings removed
Crushed red pepper flakes
12 ounces orecchiette
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 1/2 ounces Parmesan, finely grated (about 1 1/2 cups), plus more for serving

Steps:

  • Cook broccoli in a large pot of salted boiling water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer broccoli to a colander and let cool (save pot of water for cooking pasta). Chop broccoli into small pieces; set aside.
  • Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium. Cook garlic, shaking skillet occasionally, until it starts to turn golden, about 2 minutes. Add sausage and a generous pinch of red pepper flakes and break up meat into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally and continuing to break up sausage, until it is browned and cooked through, 6-8 minutes.
  • Bring reserved pot of water to a boil and cook pasta until barely al dente, about 9 minutes (set a timer for 3 minutes less than the package instructions; it will cook more in the skillet).
  • Meanwhile, ladle about 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid from pot into skillet with sausage and add blanched broccoli. Keep mixture at a low simmer, stirring often and mashing with spoon to break up sausage even more, until pasta is finished cooking.
  • Using a spider or slotted spoon, transfer pasta to skillet, then ladle in ½ cup pasta water. Cook, stirring, until pasta absorbs most of the liquid and is just al dente, about 4 minutes. Add butter and stir until melted, then transfer pasta to a large bowl. Gradually add 1 1/2 oz. Parmesan, tossing constantly until you have a glossy, emulsified sauce.
  • Serve pasta topped with more Parmesan and red pepper flakes and a drizzle of oil.

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