Rapini a.k.a. broccoli rabe is one of those vegetables that is super healthy and green, but one that we have avoided for some time. The reason why we’ve avoided it until now, is because I made this special dinner for Arkadi when we were dating and I made some sauteed rapini as a side dish. A friend of ours had us over a couple of weeks before and I decided to copy her rapini side dish. Mine, however, was not good! It was so bitter we both could not actually eat it! The other day at the grocery store we decided to brave it and give rapini another chance. To our surprise, this time, we loved it! I guess when you combine rapini with some sausage, pasta and cheese, you can’t really go wrong! Also, a glass of wine on the side helps! Here’s the recipe for you:
- olive oil
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- red pepper flakes, optional
- 500 grams of Italian sausage
- ¼ cup whipping cream
- 500 grams of penne
- a bunch of rapini
- salt and pepper
- Saute minced garlic in olive oil, add the sausage (casings removed) and break apart with a fork. Then add red pepper flakes, if using. Add whipping cream, season with salt and pepper.
- In the meantime, in a separate pot, boil water, add the pasta and rapini and cook pasta until al dente.
- Toss the penne, rapini and sausage together. Garnish with grated parmesan cheese and serve.
By the way, this makes a real great quick weeknight supper and leftover lunch for the next day!
Whoa this looks amazing! I love broccoli rabe but I hardly ever eat it.
Thanks! It’s not that popular but sure is tasty when prepared right.Have a good day!
Great post! Looks really delicious!
Happy New year!
Thanks very much! Glad you like it!
I love the flavour-to-recipe-length ratio in this: So yummy, yet explained in 7 lines – bravo!
Thank you for your kind words!
What a delicious recipe, its perfect for the winter nights!
Thanks for your feedback!
Yum, I love broccoli rabe or rapini but I wasn’t always a fan either since it tasted really bitter the first time I made it too 🙂 It sounds fantastic in this creamy pasta dish, thanks for sharing 🙂
We were happy it turned out tasty. Thanks very much!
Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it : )
Great! Let us know if you like it!
This looks AMAZING!! So tasty and nourishing after all the holiday goodies!! Thanks for sharing! I hope that you have a great New Year! 🙂
Thanks very much! Appreciate your kind words!
This dish looks delicious! I’ve only tried broccoli rabe one time and I thought it was horrible. Completely bitter. You’ve convinced me to give it another try!
Give it another try! Let us know if you liked it! Thanks!
I have never had Rapani! Lovely dish especially since it is a special one..
Thanks!
This looks delicious! I’ve only had rapini a couple of times – we enjoyed it, but I bet we’d really love it like this.
Great! Thanks very much!
very creative, i haven’t seen this combo before.
Delicious!
Thank you!
Wow, this sounds so good! You can’t go wrong with pasta, sausage and cream!!
Agreed! Thanks for your comment!
I’ve also never cooked with rapini but am definitely intrigued after your delicious looking pasta dish! 🙂
Glad to hear we’ve inspired you! Give it a try and let us know!
This looks creamy and delicious, and I love broccoli rabe!
Awesome! We found another rapini fan!
Mmm this pasta dish sounds and looks so good! x
So happy you like it!
Yea I’m with you… rapini by itself can get really bitter. Love all the ingredients in this hearty, comforting bowl of pasta!
Thanks very much!
This looks like a hearty home meal perfect for those cold days!! Xx
So true! We truly enjoyed that meal!
I wonder if Rapini is what we call purple sprouting broccoli. My Oh would love this dish.
Give it a try and let us know!
I totally agree that wine makes everything better! This recipe sounds delicious 🙂
Thank you! 😉
I like the combo of flavours. It looks homey and delish!
Yes! Thank you!
Anything with pasta and garlic and cream is good. Very good. Even with rapini! which I happen to like!
Great! Glad to hear you like it!
Love this! i’ve never cooked with Rapini before it’s a shame. I will have to try this one out. Sausage makes anything great right? 🙂
That’s right! Give it a try! Hope you like it!
Its funny how one food memory can banish a really good ingredient! 🙂
so true! we were happy that we gave rapini any chance!
It’s a delicious combination, I love broccoli rabe or rapini sauteed with garlic and olive oil, steamed first. But my favorite way to enjoy it is exactly how you made it. Delicious.
So glad you like it!