I love the flavors of spicy garlicky sausage together with nutty greens such as broccoli rabe. Besides fusilli noodles, penne rigate, orecchiette, or any other large toothy pasta shape is good for this sauce.

　　

Ingredients

4 servings

　　1 large bunch of broccoli rabe, chard, or kale

　　1/2 pound Fennel Sausage (page 358), or 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed

　　2 tablespoons olive oil

　　1 large onion, sliced thin

　　Salt

　　Fresh-ground black pepper

　　A pinch of dried chile flakes

　　3/4 pound fusilli, orecchiette, or penne rigate

　　Extra-virgin olive oil

　　1/2 cup grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese

　　

Step 1

Trim and wash: 1 large bunch of broccoli rabe, chard, or kale.

　　

Step 2

Chop coarse and cook until tender in salted boiling water. Drain well, saving the cooking water to cook the pasta in, if you like. Form into small balls: 1/2 pound Fennel Sausage (page 358), or 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed.

　　

Step 3

Heat in a heavy-bottomed pan: 2 tablespoons olive oil.

　　

Step 4

Add the sausage and cook over medium heat until browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the sausage and add to the pan: 1 large onion, sliced thin.

　　

Step 5

Sauté, tossing now and then, over medium-high heat until the onions soften and caramelize a bit. Season with: Salt, Fresh-ground black pepper, A pinch of dried chile flakes.

　　

Step 6

Add the cooked greens and sausage and cook for a few minutes, tossing and stirring. Taste for salt and adjust as needed.

　　

Step 7

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add: 3/4 pound fusilli, orecchiette, or penne rigate.

　　

Step 8

Cook al dente, then drain and return to the pan. Toss the pasta with a bit of salt and: Extra-virgin olive oil.

　　

Step 9

Plate and top with the sauce, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with: 1/2 cup grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese.

　　

Step 10

Serve immediately.

　　

Variations

Step 11

Omit the sausage and increase the amount of olive oil the onions are cooked in.

　　

Step 12

Instead of cooking the greens in boiling water, add them to the onions with a bit of water and cook until tender.

　　The Art of Simple Food