Sausage Cavatelli with Broccoli Rabe

Elevate your weeknight dinner game with Sausage Cavatelli with Broccoli Rabe—a hearty, flavor-packed pasta dish that balances rich and savory with fresh and zesty. Tender cavatelli pasta is tossed with sautéed Italian sausage, garlicky broccoli rabe, and a hint of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. A splash of reserved pasta water creates a silky sauce, while freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a touch of lemon zest add a bright, creamy finish. Perfect for family dinners or casual entertaining, this one-pan meal comes together in just 40 minutes and is a celebration of simple ingredients and bold flavors. Comfort food at its finest!

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Cavatelli pasta
• 1 bunch Broccoli rabe
• 12 ounces Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 0.25 teaspoons Red pepper flakes
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
• 0 to taste Salt
• 0 to taste Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Step 2

Trim the rough ends of the broccoli rabe, cut it into 2-inch pieces, and rinse thoroughly.

Step 3

Blanch the broccoli rabe in the boiling water for 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a colander, draining well. Reserve the boiling water for cooking the pasta.

Step 4

In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove the sausage and set aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add another 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute, or until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the blanched broccoli rabe to the skillet and sauté for 3–4 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 7

Meanwhile, cook the cavatelli in the reserved boiling water according to the package instructions, until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.

Step 8

Add the cooked cavatelli to the skillet with the broccoli rabe. Stir in the browned sausage and mix everything together.

Step 9

Gradually add the reserved pasta water, 1–2 tablespoons at a time, to help coat the pasta and create a light sauce.

Step 10

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and lemon zest. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper, if needed.

Step 11

Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1110.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3146.4

Total Fat 161.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 57.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 334.9mg	0%
Sodium 7081.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 266.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.1g	0%
Total Sugars 8.8g
Protein 151.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1751.7mg	0%
Iron 21.4mg	0%
Potassium 2047.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.6%

Protein: 19.3%

Carbs: 34.1%