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Orecchiette con le Cime di Rapa

Orecchiette con le Cime di Rapa

Orecchiette con le Cime di Rapa is a traditional pasta dish from Puglia, Italy. It combines ear-shaped pasta with sautéed broccoli rabe, garlic, and anchovies. This simple, rustic recipe delivers a delicious balance of earthy, bitter greens and savory flavors.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz orecchiette pasta homemade or store-bought
  • 1 lb broccoli rabe Cime di Rapa, trimmed and washed
  • 4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
  • 4 anchovy fillets or 1 tbsp salted fish
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Red chili flakes optional, to taste
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly grated Pecorino cheese optional, for serving

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Pasta:
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orecchiette pasta for 8–10 minutes or until al dente. Save 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  3. Sauté the Cime di Rapa:
  4. Heat 4 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and anchovy fillets, stirring until the garlic turns golden and the anchovies dissolve.
  5. Cook the Greens:
  6. Add the cleaned and trimmed Cime di Rapa to the skillet. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until the greens are tender and slightly wilted. If needed, add a splash of pasta water to help soften the greens.
  7. Combine:
  8. Add the cooked orecchiette to the skillet with the greens. Toss everything together over medium heat, adding a bit of reserved pasta water to coat the pasta and make the dish a bit saucy. Season with salt and red chili flakes (if using).
  9. Serve:
  10. Plate the pasta and greens mixture, and sprinkle with freshly grated Pecorino cheese if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

For a crunchier texture, toast some breadcrumbs and sprinkle them on top before serving.
If you don’t have broccoli rabe, substitute with broccolini or regular broccoli.
This dish pairs well with a crisp white wine like Vermentino.