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Broccolini and Sausage Rigatoni

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound tube pasta such as rigatoni or penne
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage casings removed
  • 1 bunch broccolini or broccoli rabe
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Fresh black pepper to taste
  • 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • Zest and Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1/4 cup beef or chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the broccolini. Add about a tablespoon of salt to the water then add the broccolini and cook for 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender but still crisp.
  • Scoop the broccolini out with tongs, add to a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
  • Return the pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions.
  • Before draining the pasta, ladle out about 1/2 cup of the pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta, do not rinse with , and set aside.
  • Add the olive oil to a pan then add the sausage to brown. Break the sausage up with a wooden spoon until it’s browned cooked through.
  • Drain some of the drippings from the pan if necessary, then add the salt, pepper, garlic and tomatoes.
  • Pour in the beef broth and 1/4 cup of the pasta water and bring to a boil. Let the sauce reduce for 3 minutes, then add the cooked pasta and broccolini and toss to combine.
  • Add the parmesan cheese, lemon zest, juice and taste for seasonings. Add more salt and pepper and parmesan cheese if needed, and more pasta water if the pasta is too dry.
  • Serve with crushed red pepper flakes and more parmesan cheese.