Broccoli Rabe Pancetta Pasta is a hearty pasta recipe that will warm you up on a chilly evening. Orecchiette pasta, shaped like "little ears", catch the bits of broccoli rabe, onion, garlic and pancetta for your every bite!
This Italian recipe, bursting with nutritious broccoli rabe and bits of flavorful pancetta, will transport you to Italy in your very own kitchen.
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Orecchiette Pasta
Broccoli rabe is one of my absolute favorite vegetables and I hope it will soon become yours too!
Typically associated with Italian cuisine and several regions in Italy, broccoli rabe has a nutty and slightly bitter flavor.
It is not only an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K but also contains potassium, calcium and iron.
Sounds like another super food to me!
The edible parts of this cruciferous vegetable are the leaves, buds, and stems.
The buds somewhat resemble little broccoli florettes, but do not form a large head. Be sure to trim off the tougher parts of the stems before using.
Pancetta, the ever delectable Italian style bacon, elevates this recipe to another level of fabulously delicious and the orecchiette pasta, shaped like "little ears", catch the bits of broccoli rabe, onion, garlic and pancetta for your every bite!
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How to make pasta with pancetta
Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below
- Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Meanwhile, heat a large non-stick skillet, preferably with tall sides, over medium heat.
- Cook pancetta, onion, garlic, kosher salt and pepper flakes until pancetta is browned and onions are tender, 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add white wine. Boil for 1 minute.
- Add broccoli rabe. Cook, covered, until wilted and tender, 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add butter, cooked pasta and reserved pasta water. Cook until butter has melted and pasta is heated through, 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve with shaved Parmesan cheese.
Swirls of Flavor Recipe Tips
- Prepackaged diced pancetta can be found in the refrigerated section of your supermarket.
- You can buy a 4 ounce piece of pancetta in the deli department and cut into small diced
- Add peas too! Pasta pancetta peas is a delicious combination of flavors and textures!
Substitutions
- Bacon can replace the pancetta
- Broccolini is a good broccoli rabe substitute
- Prefer no alcohol? Use chicken broth in place of white wine
Ingredients
Broccoli rabe orecchiette ingredients:
- orecchiette pasta
- diced pancetta
- onion
- garlic
- kosher salt
- red pepper flakes
- white wine
- broccoli rabe
- butter
- shaved Parmesan cheese
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Love the pancetta in this pasat recipe? Then you'll want to try Skillet Tortellini Pomodoro With Pancetta in a light buttery garlic white wine sauce is studded with crispy bits of pancetta, sautéed tomatoes and fresh arugula and basil.
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Broccoli Rabe Orecchiette Pasta Recipe
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces orecchiette pasta
- 1 pkg. (4 onces) diced pancetta
- 1 onion, chopped, 1 cup
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth
- 1 bunch (1 pound) broccoli rabe, tough stems trimmed, remaining stems, leaves and florettes chopped, 6 cups
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- shaved Parmesan cheese
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Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Meanwhile, heat large non-stick skillet, preferably with tall sides, over medium heat.
- Cook pancetta, onion, garlic, kosher salt and pepper flakes until pancetta is browned and onions are tender, 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add white wine. Boil 1 minute.
- Add broccoli rabe. Cook, covered, until wilted and tender, 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add butter, cooked pasta and reserved pasta water. Cook until butter has melted and pasta is heated through, 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve with shaved Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Prepackaged diced pancetta can be found in the refrigerated section of your supermarket.
Not available in your grocery store? Just buy a 4 ounce piece of pancetta in the deli department and cut into small diced pieces.
Oh yum! I love all of those ingredients and the flavors of broccoli rabe and pancetta works so well together! Thanks for sharing such a tasty recipe 🙂