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Ingredients

  • Salt
  • 1 large bundle of broccoli rabe, trimmed and cut into 3 inch pieces
  • 1 pound penne or whole wheat penne
  • 2 tablespoons EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 pound bulk Italian hot sausage, squeezed from casing
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tablespoon freshly chopped thyme
  • 1 15-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup Pecorino Romano cheese
  • Crushed red pepper flakes, to pass at table

Yield

Serves: 4

Preparation

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt then the rabe. Cook 3 minutes. Remove to an ice water bath with slotted spoon or spider and reserve. Bring water back to a boil. Cook pasta to al dente, reserving 1 cup of starchy cooking liquid just before draining.

Meanwhile, heat EVOO in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and brown, about 5-6 minutes.

Place half the chickpeas in a food processor with a splash of water and pure. Add garlic to sausage and cook 1 minute. Add pure and remaining whole chickpeas and reserved broccoli rabe. Season with salt, pepper and thyme, and heat thorough. Add tomatoes and stir, reduce heat to simmer. When pasta is done, add reserved cooking liquid to the sauce before draining.

Add drained pasta back to the pot along with the butter and cheese. Toss to coat then add the sauce and stir to combine. Serve immediately.