Description
This one pot lemony pasta with sausage, broccoli rabe, and creamy burrata is a vibrant and hearty Italian-inspired dish perfect for a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner. The combination of zesty lemon, savory sausage, and fresh greens makes every bite a deliciously balanced experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 12 oz short pasta (like orecchiette or rigatoni)
Proteins and Dairy
- 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 balls fresh burrata cheese, torn into pieces
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 bunch broccoli rabe, trimmed and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Liquids and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
- Brown sausage: In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through.
- Sauté garlic and spices: Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the sausage. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook broccoli rabe: Stir in chopped broccoli rabe. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until tender and vibrantly green.
- Combine pasta and flavors: Return the cooked pasta to the pot. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and reserved pasta water. Toss everything together over low heat until creamy and well combined.
- Season: Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
- Add burrata: Remove from heat and gently fold torn burrata pieces into the pasta.
- Serve: Plate the pasta warm and garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- To reduce the bitterness of broccoli rabe, blanch it in boiling water for 1 minute before adding it to the pot.
- You can customize the dish with either sweet or spicy Italian sausage based on your flavor preference.
- For a creamier texture, add more reserved pasta water as needed while tossing the pasta.
- Fresh burrata provides a luscious finish; if unavailable, fresh mozzarella can be used as a substitute.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
