When you’re craving pasta, some of us tend to go for those home cook classic shapes like Spaghetti, Penne or Fusilli. But I’m here to show you that Orecchiette is just as versatile as your pasta staples, easy to cook with, and sure to impress!
Your Orecchiette Pasta Must Haves
So, what exactly is Orecchiette? The small bowl-like pasta gets its name from its distinctive shape, which looks like tiny ears (orecchiette means “little ears” in Italian).
If you can’t find orecchiette, don’t worry—other pasta shapes like farfalle or fusilli work just as well.
Our next main ingredient is Italian sausage, a fantastic staple for weeknight dinners. It’s quick to cook and ramps up the flavours with a blend of aromatics, herbs, and spices like garlic and fennel.
This Orecchiette and sausage combo is a match made in heaven, the sausage adding rich, complex flavours to this Orecchiette pasta recipe with minimal effort.
If you can, buy bulk sausage or sausage meat without the casing—it’s often available around the holidays for stuffing recipes or from your local butcher. If not, just squeeze the meat out of the casing.
Pecorino Romano is a hard, salty, and pungent Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk. You can usually find it grated in the cheese section of most supermarkets.
If unavailable, Parmigiano Reggiano is a great alternative and will still give your dish a delicious flavour.
You’ll also need to grab:
- Brown Onion Freshly sliced for a robust flavour.
- White Wine: Enhances the sauce with a rich, savoury taste.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing and adding depth to the sauce.
- Baby Spinach: For a hit of iron-rich greens.
My Top Tips For Perfect Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh spinach, high-quality sausage, and freshly grated cheese make a big difference in flavour.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Orecchiette should be al dente, which means it should still have a bit of a bite to it.
- Adjust the Heat: If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes. For more heat, add a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Orecchiette Pasta?
Orecchiette is a type of pasta originating from the Apulia region of Italy. Its name means “little ears” due to its distinctive shape.
What is Orecchiette Pasta Used For?
Orecchiette is perfect for holding sauces, making it ideal for dishes with hearty sauces, vegetables, and meats. It’s commonly used in recipes like orecchiette with sausage.
How Long to Cook Orecchiette Pasta?
Typically, orecchiette pasta takes about 10 to 12 minutes to cook until al dente. Always check the package instructions for the most accurate cooking time.
Orecchiette Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Brown onions
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 500g or 1 lb Italian pork sausage meat
- ½ cup White wine
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 250g or 0.5lb Orecchiette pasta
- 100 g Baby spinach
- 50 g Parmesan, grated
Instructions
- Start by slicing the onions lengthways into thin strips.
- Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-based deep saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and immediately reduce the heat to low. Cook for 45 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once the onions are golden brown, season with salt and remove from the pan.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and add the sausage meat to the pan. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally to create caramelisation. Once the meat is cooked through, remove it from the pan with a slotted spoon.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine and cook for one minute. Use a wooden spoon to scrape off as many of the delicious sausage bits as possible from the bottom of the pan. Add the cream to the pan, simmer, and cook for two minutes. Stir through the baby spinach and cook until wilted.
- While you prepare the sauce, bring a large pot of heavily salted water to the boil. Cook the pasta al dente, draining it two minutes before the suggested cooking time for the pasta. Reserve up to one cup of pasta water for later.
- Add the pasta to the pan with your sauce and reduce the heat to low. Slowly incorporate the pasta water and parmesan until the pasta is smooth and glossy. You may not need all of the pasta, so do this step slowly and in batches. Taste the sauce for seasoning, but depending on which sausages you are using, you may not even need salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
I enjoyed it! Creamy Orecchiette Pasta with Caramelised Onion and Italian Sausage is a delicious and easy-to-make pasta dish. To make the dish, simply cook the pasta, sauté the onion and sausage, and then combine the two with a creamy sauce. Serve hot and enjoy! Thank you very much for sharing! 🙂
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