Orecchiette with sausage

orecchiette_with_sausage

Orecchiette is a small, disk-shaped pasta commonly found in the southern Italian region of Puglia. Its name means “little ears” in Italian, which refers to the pasta’s shape resembling small earlobes. Orecchiette is typically made from durum wheat semolina flour and water, and it is an excellent dish to eat with flavorful sauces.

One classic way to eat orecchiette is with sausage. The combination of the tender pasta and savory sausage creates an unforgettable dining experience. There are many ways to prepare orecchiette with sausage, but this recipe is delightful and easy to make.

The beauty of this recipe is that you can make it as mild or as spicy as you want. You can also experiment with different types of sausage, like sweet or spicy Italian sausage, which will alter the dish’s flavor. This dish is perfect for people who love a bit of heat and spice, but it can be made milder for those who do not enjoy spicy food.

To start, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. You want to cook it until it is al dente, which means it’s firm to the bite. While the pasta is cooking, heat up a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add some extra-virgin olive oil and let it heat up for a minute or two. Then, add some chopped onions and garlic to the skillet and cook for about two minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent.

Next, add the sausage to the skillet. Crumble the sausage with a wooden spoon and cook it for about 10 minutes or until it loses its pink color. If you’re using spicy sausage, you can adjust the heat level by increasing or decreasing the amount of crushed red pepper flakes. Once the sausage is fully cooked, drain any excess grease from the skillet.

Now that the pasta and sausage are ready, it is time to combine everything. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the sausage. Add some Parmesan cheese and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce. You can also add some chopped fresh parsley, which will add color and fresh flavor to the dish.

Finally, serve the orecchiette and sausage hot and garnish the dish with some extra Parmesan cheese and parsley. You can also serve this dish with garlic bread or a side salad.

In conclusion, orecchiette with sausage is a classic Italian dish that is easy to make and delicious to eat. This recipe’s beauty is in its simplicity, and it is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal. Whether you want to make it spicy or mild, this dish will satisfy your taste buds and leave you longing for more. Let this dish transport you to sunny Italy with each bite of tender pasta and savory sausage.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound orecchiette pasta
  • 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot of salted water, cook the orecchiette pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain the rest.

  2. While the pasta is boiling, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon.

  3. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.

  4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for about 5 minutes, until the liquid has reduced by half.

  5. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.

  6. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.

  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy!